Borna Disease Virus Phosphoprotein Impairs the Developmental Program Controlling Neurogenesis and Reduces Human GABAergic Neurogenesis.

It is well established that persistent viral infection may impair
cellular function of specialized cells without overt damage. This
concept, when applied to neurotropic viruses, may help to understand
certain neurologic and neuropsychiatric diseases. Borna disease virus
(BDV) is an excellent example of a persistent virus that targets the
brain, impairs neural functions without cell lysis, and ultimately
results in neurobehavioral disturbances. Recently, we have shown that
BDV infects human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) and impairs
neurogenesis, revealing a new mechanism by which BDV may interfere with
brain function. Here, we sought to identify the viral proteins and
molecular pathways that are involved. Using lentiviral vectors for
expression of the bdv-p and bdv-x viral genes, we demonstrate that the
phosphoprotein P, but not the X protein, diminishes human neurogenesis
and, more particularly, GABAergic neurogenesis. We further reveal a
decrease in pro-neuronal factors known to be involved in neuronal
differentiation (ApoE, Noggin, TH and Scg10/Stathmin2), demonstrating
that cellular dysfunction is associated with impairment of specific
components of the molecular program that controls neurogenesis. Our
findings thus provide the first evidence that a viral protein impairs
GABAergic human neurogenesis, a process that is dysregulated in several
neuropsychiatric disorders. They improve our understanding of the
mechanisms by which a persistent virus may interfere with brain
development and function in the adult.

A mycotoxin present in many types of food deteriorates neuroregeneration

chemical structure of the mycotoxin ochratoxin A (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Researchers at the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at CEU-UCH, in
cooperation with colleagues of University of Valencia, showed through in
vitro as well as in vivo experiments on lab animals the potential
negative effect on neuroregeneration caused by Ochratoxine A, a
mycotoxine found in many types of food, especially cereals and their
derivatives. The study showed that Ochratoxine A deteriorates the
formation of new neurons in the brain, a process called neurogenesis
that, in particular, takes place in the subventricular zone, which in
the adult brain is the largest of the neurogenic zones.

Nuclear testing from the 1960s helps scientist determine whether adult brains generate new neurons: (Yes)

"The birth of new neurons in the adult brain sharpens memory in rodents, but whether the same holds true for humans has long been debated. A study published by Cell Press June 6th in the journal Cell reveals that a significant number of new neurons in the hippocampus -- a brain region crucial for memory and learning -- are generated in adult humans."

Induction of adult cortical neurogenesis by an antidepressant

The production of new neurons in the adult normal cortex in response to the antidepressant, fluoxetine, is reported in a study published online this week in Neuropsychopharmacology.

Read more at: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-01-induction-adult-cortical-neurogenesis-antidepressant.html#jCp

Inflammation for Regeneration | The Scientist Magazine®

The secret to zebrafish’s remarkable capacity for repairing their brains is inflammation, according to a report published online today (November 8) inScience. Neural stem cells in the fish’s brains express a receptor for inflammatory signaling molecules, which prompt the cells to multiply and develop into new neurons.