PNT article on recent success in generating locus coeruleus (LC) norepinephrine (NE) neurons, to study their role in diseases such as PD.

[jeffreyn]

"Nerve cells originating in the locus coeruleus extend throughout the brain and spinal cord via an extensive branching system, where they release norepinephrine to regulate heartbeat, blood pressure, arousal, memory, and attention."

"In Parkinson’s, the locus coeruleus is one of the first brain regions to start degenerating. This has been associated with a range of the disease’s nonmotor symptoms."

PNT article: Lab-made stem cell model will offer new way to study Parkinson’s.

parkinsonsnewstoday.com/new...

Research paper: Generation of locus coeruleus norepinephrine neurons from human pluripotent stem cells.

nature.com/articles/s41587-...