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Zebrafish study paves way to new treatments for Parkinson’s
Researchers found that dopamine-producing nerve cells in zebrafish are constantly being replaced by dedicated stem cells in the brain.
Species has a much higher capacity to regenerate nerve cells

New insights gained from studies into zebrafish could pave the way to new treatments for Parkinson’s disease.

Writing in the Journal of Neuroscience, scientists reveal how key brain cells that are damaged in people with Parkinson’s can be regenerated.

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the loss of nerve cells in the brain. These nerve cells are responsible for producing a chemical called dopamine.

When the cells die, the loss of dopamine can cause body movements to become slow and abnormal. Once the cells have been lost from the human brain, they cannot be replaced or repaired.

In the study, researchers found that dopamine-producing nerve cells in zebrafish are constantly being replaced by dedicated stem cells in the brain.

The researchers found the immune system plays a vital part in this process. In some parts of a zebrafish’s brain, however, the process does not work.

Understanding the immune signals that make replacement of these nerve cells could hold clues to developing treatments for humans, the scientists said.

“We were excited to find that zebrafish have a much higher regenerative capacity for dopamine neurons than humans,” said Dr Thomas Becker, of the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences.

“Understanding the signals that underpin regeneration of these nerve cells could be important for identifying future treatments for Parkinson’s disease.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.