TGFβR-1/ALK5 inhibitor RepSox induces enteric glia-to-neuron transition and influences gastrointestinal mobility in adult mice.

Promoting adult neurogenesis in the enteric nervous system (ENS) may be a potential therapeutic approach to cure enteric neuropathies. Enteric glial cells (EGCs) are the most abundant glial cells in the ENS. Accumulating evidence suggests that EGCs can be a complementary source to supply new neurons during adult neurogenesis in the ENS.

Discovery of HN37 as a Potent and Chemically Stable Antiepileptic Drug Candidate.

We previously reported that P-retigabine (P-RTG), a retigabine (RTG) analogue bearing a propargyl group at the nitrogen atom in the linker of RTG, displayed moderate anticonvulsant efficacy. Recently, our further efforts led to the discovery of (pynegabine), which demonstrated satisfactory chemical stability upon deleting the ortho liable -NH group and installing two adjacent methyl groups to the carbamate motif. exhibited enhanced activation potency toward neuronal Kv7 channels and high efficacy in a range of pre-clinical seizure models, including the maximal electroshock test and a 6 Hz model of pharmacoresistant limbic seizures.

Neonatal cortical astrocytes possess intrinsic potential in neuronal conversion in defined media.

Astrocytes are multifunctional brain cells responsible for maintaining the health and function of the central nervous system. Accumulating evidence suggests that astrocytes might be complementary source across different brain regions to supply new neurons during adult neurogenesis. In this study, we found that neonatal mouse cortical astrocytes can be directly converted into neurons when exposed to neurogenic differentiation culture conditions, with insulin being the most critical component.