Nrf2 regulates neurogenesis and protects neural progenitor cells against Aβ toxicity.

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs) proliferate and produce new neurons in neurogenic areas throughout the lifetime. While these cells represent potential therapeutic treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, regulation of neurogenesis is not completely understood. We show that deficiency of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), a transcription factor induced in response to oxidative stress, prevents the ischemia-induced increase in newborn neurons in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus.

Gender-Specific Mechanism of Synaptic Impairment and Its Prevention by GCSF in a Mouse Model of ALS.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease of motoneurons which progresses differentially in males and females for unknown reason. Here we measured gender differences in pre- and post-synaptic parameters of the neuromuscular transmission in a mutant G93A-SOD1 mouse model of ALS. Using intracellular microelectrode technique we recorded miniature and evoked end-plate potentials (MEPPs and EPPs) in the diaphragm muscle of G93A-SOD1 mice at early symptomatic stage.