Discovering the Power of a Cell and Region Specific Gene Expression Approach: The Voskuhl Laboratory analyzed astrocytes, a type of brain cell, in different regions of the brain and spinal cord that are involved in walking, vision and cognition. After comparing gene expression changes among regions that correspond to different disabilities, they observed that these gene expression changes differed between regions. The type and severity of MS can vary from patient to patient, so treatment tailored for each disability could be more effective; increasing cholesterol synthesis gene expression in astrocytes of the spinal cord can be a pathway to repair nerves that affect walking.
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