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Creator gene for cerebral cortex

By gregladen on January 19, 2008.

Discovery of 'creator' gene for cerebral cortex points to potential stem cell treatments

University of California, Irvine researchers have identified a gene that is specifically responsible for generating the cerebral cortex, a finding that could lead to stem cell therapies to treat brain injuries and diseases such as stroke and Alzheimer's.

Dr. Edwin Monuki, doctoral student Karla Hirokawa and their colleagues in the departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Developmental & Cell Biology found that a gene called Lhx2 serves as the long-sought cortical "creator" gene that instructs stem cells in the developing brain to form the cerebral cortex. This portion of the brain is responsible for higher sensory and cognitive functions, such as language, decision-making and vision. Without this gene, cortical cells will not form.

"This new understanding of Lhx2's role in cortical development can potentially be used in stem cell research efforts to grow new cortical neurons that can replace damaged ones in the brain," said Monuki, an assistant professor of pathology. "This finding has implications for continuing efforts to help people recover from a stroke or slow the progress of neurodegenerative diseases."

The study is in the current issue of Science, or you can read the press release here.

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