A protein produced by the central nervous system’s support cells seems to play two opposing roles in protecting nerve cells from damage, an animal study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests: Decreasing its activity seems to trigger support cells to gear up their protective powers, but increasing its activity appears to be key to actually use those powers to defend cells from harm.

Researchers have shown in mice how immune cells in the brain target and remove unused connections between brain cells during normal development.

Findings offer a fresh look at developmental and degenerative brain diseases BOSTON, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- We're born with our brains prewired, but as

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuralstem, Inc.

A vast majority of cells in the brain are glial, yet our understanding of how they are generated, a process called gliogenesis, has remained enigmatic.