July 9, 2012 Scientists showed in mice that disabling a gene
linked to a common pediatric tumor disorder, neurofibromatosis
type 1 (NF1), made stem cells from one part of the brain
proliferate rapidly. But the same genetic deficit had no effect
on stem cells from another brain region. The results can be
explained by differences in the way stem cells from these
regions of the brain respond to cancer-causing genetic changes.
NF1 is among the world's most common genetic disorders,
occurring in about one of every 3,000 births. It causes a wide
range of symptoms, including brain tumors, learning disabilities
and attention deficits. Brain tumors in children with NF1
typically arise in the optic nerve and do not necessarily
require treatment. If optic gliomas keep growing, though, they
can threaten the child's vision. By learning more about the many
factors that contribute to NF1 tumor formation, scientists hope
to develop more effective treatments. "To improve therapy, we
need to develop better ways to identify and