The role of LRRK2

LRRK2 knockout mice have a normal dopaminergic system and do not develop any pathological features of Parkinson¿s disease, but they do display altered exploratory and motor co-ordination behaviors, and degeneration in the kidney.

Iron reduction beneficial in metabolic syndrome

Iron reduction by phlebotomy lowers blood pressure and increases insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome, suggesting that blood donation can benefit these people by reducing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

NGS deafness diagnostics

High-throughput sequencing approaches have accelerated the discovery of genes related to hearing loss, and may reshape clinical diagnosis of deafness

Evolution of the vertebrate retina

A string of remarkable similarities between dopamine-synthesizing cells that modulate the photic responses of ascidian larvae, and amacrine cells of the vertebrate retina, suggests a common evolutionary origin from ancestral cells in the photoreceptive field of the anterior neural tube of chordates.

Challenges in biomarker tests

Translation of tissue specific markers into clinically useful marker-based tests for diagnosis and prognosis faces many statistical challenges; Lisa McShane discusses these, noting that statistical evaluation is essential in test development.