Enriched Blood Cells Preserve Cognition in Mice With Features of Alzheimer’s DiseaseCedars-Sinai researchers have successfully tested two new methods for preserving cognition in laboratory mice that exhibit features of Alzheimer’s disease by using white blood cells from bone marrow and a drug for multiple sclerosis to control immune response in the brain. Under the two approaches, immune cells from outside the brain were found to travel in greater numbers through the blood into the brain. The study showed measurable benefits in mice, an encouraging step toward further testing of these potentially powerful strategies in human trials.CONTACT: Sandy Van, 808-526-1708; Email [email protected]
Researchers Identify Critical Genes Responsible for Brain Tumor GrowthAfter generating new brain tumor models, Cedars-Sinai scientists in the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute identified the role of a family of genes underlying tumor growth in a wide spectrum of high grade brain tumors.
“With these new genetic findings, our group of researchers plan to develop targeted therapeutics that we hope will one day be used treat patients with high grade brain tumors and increase their survival,” said Joshua Breunig, PhD, a research scientist in the Brain Program at the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and lead author of the research study published in the journal Cell Reports. CONTACT: Cara Martinez, 310-423-7798; Email [email protected]
Online Registry Improves Clinical Research Study Participation Research for Her™, Cedars-Sinai’s groundbreaking online registry that matches women with research studies and clinical trials, enrolled study participants more quickly when compared with traditional paper-based registries, according to new research published in the journal Gynecologic Oncology. Historically, fewer women have participated in clinical research and only 3 to 5 percent of patients nationally enroll in trials.
“Research for Her is committed to changing these statistics and improving patient lives,” said B.J. Rimel, MD, co-principal investigator of Research for Her, part of the Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, and first author of the study.CONTACT: Cara Martinez, 310-423-7798; Email [email protected]
Cedars-Sinai ALS Conference to Offer Key Information for Patients and Families Aug. 1Cedars-Sinai will present a free one-day conference for patients and families affected by Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, on Saturday, Aug. 1. The morning session will focus on clinical aspects of this progressive neuromuscular disease for which there is no cure. Presentations will include an overview of ALS and why a multidisciplinary approach is key to diagnosis and treatment. Presenters also will discuss the importance of electromyography as a diagnostic tool; pulmonary function tests and devices to ease breathing; and a Q&A session with experts in a range of therapies.
Clinical trials and research efforts will be discussed in the afternoon session. Researchers from the ALS Program and the Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute will present information and answer questions. Preregistration, required, is available by calling 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771), or by visiting http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Programs-and-Services/Neurosurgery/Conferences/Community-Conferences.aspxCONTACT: Sandy Van, 808-526-1708; Email [email protected]
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Effective Sept. 1, the neurosciences media contact will be Sally Stewart. Email: [email protected].
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