Molecular and genetic factors that let two types of interneurons develop different identities have been found by researchers at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and the Flatiron Institute. The findings1 could provide a model for studying the emergence of cellular diversity in the brain. Since many neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders affect different cell types, including interneurons, differently, the authors say their work could also help researchers better understand how these disorders come about.

To degrade toxic proteins more rapidly, immune cells in the brain can join together to form networks when needed, a joint study of the University of Bonn, the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the Institut François Jacob in France shows1. However, in certain mutations that can cause Parkinson’s disease, this cooperation is impaired. The protein alpha-synuclein performs important tasks in the nerve cells of the brain. But under certain circumstances, alpha-synuclein (aSyn) molecules can clump together and form insoluble aggregates.

The antibiotic azithromycin reduced low birth weight and prematurity in Africa and Asia but didn’t lower infant deaths, infections or hospital admissions, a research review1 has found. In a systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) reviewed 14 studies undertaken in African and Asian countries, involving 17,594 participants. This review found that there was uncertainty about the potential benefits of this intervention on neonatal deaths, admissions and infections, and potential harmful effects on stillbirth despite biological reasons why this intervention may have benefits for these outcomes.

Amyloid protein produced in the liver can cause neurodegeneration in brain tissue, a new study1 by John Mamo of Curtin University, and colleagues has found. Since the protein is thought to be a key contributor to development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the results suggest that the liver may play an important role in the onset or progression of the disease. Deposits of amyloid beta (A-beta) in the brain are one of the pathological hallmarks of AD and are implicated in neurodegeneration in both human patients and animal models of the disease.

Parents and grandparents of individuals with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were at higher risk of dementia than those with children and grandchildren without ADHD, a large study1 at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has found. The findings suggest that there are common genetic and/or environmental contributions to the association between ADHD and dementia. Now we need further studies to understand the underlying mechanisms," said first author Le Zhang, Ph.D. student at the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet.

Researchers from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) have developed a software program - called ModTect - that can help reveal the relationships between RNA modifications and the development of diseases and disorders. Led by Professor Daniel Tenen and Dr Henry Yang, the scientists carried out their own novel pan-cancer study1 covering 33 different cancer types. This work is one of few studies demonstrating the association of mRNA modification with cancer development.

Rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T) is not effective against small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), four independent studies show. SCLC remains a difficult disease to treat, especially at the time of relapse. Currently, topotecan is among the most effective treatments, but it is not the most desirable and favored drug in the second-line setting because of its toxicity profile. Still, it has been difficult for new agents to “beat” this drug in the second-line setting.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a class of biopharmaceutical drugs designed as a targeted therapy for treating cancer. Unlike chemotherapy, ADCs are intended to target and kill tumor cells while sparing healthy cells. As of 2019, some 56 pharmaceutical companies were developing ADCs. Schematic structure of an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). Credit: CC-BY Antibody-drug conjugates are complex molecules composed of an antibody linked to a biologically anticancer payload or drug.