new genetic advance

Israeli, American Doctors Make Genetic Discovery
Israeli and American researchers have discovered how a gene "sculpts" neurons into a menorah-like shape in the nervous system, a find that could eventually have far-reaching implications for the rehabilitation of people with central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) damage, The Jerusalem Post reported Friday. It was important to find these genes, the team said, because with their help, it would be possible to find, even in humans, the genes responsible for building neurons in the human brain. This, they concluded, would lead to being able to repair damage to people's brains and spinal cord. The scientists' work on the formation and maintenance of tree-like nerve cell structures could also have applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the repair of damaged vital nerves.