LOS ANGELES, CA

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width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC33" FACE="Arial" ><B>NF TEAM</B></FONT> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#333399" FACE="Arial" >   |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NF TEAM">home</A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Department of Defense Neurofibromatosis ">Department of Defense Neurofibromatosis Research Program </A>   |   <A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory ">Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory </A>   |   <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="University of Pennsylvania Medical Cente">University of Pennsylvania Medical Center</A>   |   <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Philadelphia, PA">Philadelphia, PA</A>   |   <A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dallas, Texas">Dallas, Texas</A>   |   <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dallas, Texas 2">Dallas, Texas 2</A>   |   <B>LOS ANGELES, CA</B>   |   <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="St. Louis, MO">St. Louis, MO</A> 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cells that cause NF1</A>   |   <A HREF="id300.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Clues to Nf1">Clues to Nf1</A></div> <div> LOS ANGELES, CA</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>NF RESEARCH YIELDS CLUES TO BIOLOGICAL CAUSE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES AND POSSIBLE TREATMENT</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>LOS ANGELES</B> - A team of scientists headed by Dr. Alcino J. Silva from the Department of Neurobiology at the University of California in Los Angeles report in the January 30th issue of the journal Nature (with advanced publication at Nature Online January 16) that they have found a treatment for the learning deficits in a mouse model for Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), a disorder that affects one in 4000 people world-wide. These findings are an important step towards developing a treatment for the learning disabilities (LD) often associated with NF1, as well as in the general population of the estimated 30 to 35 million Americans with LD.</div> <bR> <div> Previously, these researchers had reported that mice with a NF1 mutation show learning deficits with striking similarities to the human condition. These scientists test spatial learning by determining how quickly mice learn to find their way in a maze. Now Dr. Silva, Dr. Rui Costa and colleagues, through research funded by the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation (NNFF), report that they have uncovered the causes for the learning deficits of the NF1 mice.</div> <bR> <div> They found that brain inhibitory signals are unusually strong in NF1 mice. During learning, excitatory brain signals are thought to carve changes in brain structure that are needed for memory. Just as the laser-burned patterns of a compact disk are used by a CD-player to play the recorded music, the brain uses structural changes made during learning to read out the learned information. </div> <div> "It is possible that in the NF1 mice and possibly in NF1 patients, the excitatory signals are simply not strong enough to overcome the abnormally high inhibition caused by the NF1 mutation, and as a consequence, a lot of information is simply lost before it can be stored" Silva stated.</div> <bR> <div> Remarkably, researchers were able to rescue the learning deficits of the NF1 mice with a drug that decreases Ras function. Ras is a molecule that may regulate the levels of inhibition in the brain. In the brains of NF1 mice there is too much Ras activity, which leads to detrimental increases in inhibition. </div> <div> Thus, to treat the learning deficits, researchers gave the NF1 mice a drug commonly referred to as FTI or farnesyl transferase inhibitor. This drug decreases the activity of Ras. Clinical tests are currently under way to test the efficacy of FTIs as anti-tumor agents. Thus, it is possible that molecular malfunctions that cause the tumors in NF1, also are responsible for the learning deficits. One day a single drug may be used to treat these two different symptoms of NF1.</div> <bR> <div> "We are all very excited about this discovery, but there is a lot of research to be done before these discoveries can be translated to the clinic" Silva cautions. "But we can see the way ahead clearer then ever </div> <div> before!" Silva adds with enthusiasm. </div> <bR> <div> Neurofibromatosis Type1 (NF1) is a common genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves anywhere in and outside the body. NF is also associated with bone abnormalities and learning disabilities. Learning disabilities occur at a rate five to six times higher among people with NF1 than in the general population.</div> <bR> <div> "While billions of dollars are spent on special education programs to ameliorate the effects of learning disabilities experienced by millions of Americans, comparatively little has been spent to discover the molecular biology and biochemical processes involved in LD," Peter Bellermann, NNFF President said. "The work of Dr. Silva and his colleagues represents a groundbreaking advance in understanding the root causes of learning disabilities and how to treat them."</div> <div> The NNFF also funded the original work of Dr. Silva in this area. The NNFF is the world's leading organization dedicated to Neurofibromatosis research and patient education and support. More information on NF can be obtained by calling 800-323-7938 or visiting The NF Web Site at<A HREF="http://www.nf.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nf.org"> </A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.nf.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nf.org"><B><U>www.nf.org</U></B></A></FONT>.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Latest Research"><IMG SRC="054851f0.jpg" border=0 width="133" height="31" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NF TEAM"><IMG SRC="05257250.jpg" border=0 width="87" height="37" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>