Heidelberg Researchers Identify Neuron Survival Programmes

15 February 2007

New experiments by the research team headed by Prof. Dr. Hilmar Bading at the University of Heidelberg's Institute of Neurobiology and other scientists provide deeper insights into the complex functioning of the brain — Published in the latest issue of Neuron

New experiments at the University of Heidelberg's Institute of Neurobiology provide deeper insights into the complex functioning of the brain. In their study, the neurobiologists headed by Prof. Hilmar Bading, together with scientists from the German Cancer Research Centre and the University of Geneva, investigate one of the central molecular switches in the brain, the so-called NMDA receptor. These receptors are of crucial significance as they control learning and memory processes and can either strengthen the survival capacity of nerve cells or cause neuronal degeneration and cell death.

Prof. Bading's research group has now deciphered the contradictory behaviour of the NMDA receptor at the genetic level. Over 40,000 different genes were analysed using gene chip technology. The results indicated that NMDA receptors control different genetic programmes depending on their location on the surface of cells. These programmes either strengthen the survival capacity of nerve cells or lead to cell death. The researchers were able to demonstrate a nerve-protection function for a series of new genes. The identification of the NMDA receptor-controlled survival programme opens up new prospects for therapeutic approaches in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease.

Original article: Decoding NMDA receptor signaling: identification of genomic programs specifying neuronal survival and death, Neuron 53, 15 February 2007

Please address any inquiries to:
Prof. Dr. Hilmar Bading
Interdisciplinary Centre for Neurosciences — Neurobiology
University of Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 364
D-69120 Heidelberg
phone: 06221/548219, fax: 546700
Hilmar.Bading@uni-hd.de

General inquiries from journalists should be addressed to
Dr. Michael Schwarz
Press Officer of the University of Heidelberg
phone: 06221/542310, fax: 54317
michael.schwarz@rektorat.uni-heidelberg.de
http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/presse/index.html