Interneurons - nerve cells that function as 'dimmers' - play an important role in the brain.

Their formation and migration to the cerebral cortex during the embryonic stage of development is crucial to normal brain functioning.

Abnormal interneuron development and migration can eventually lead to a range of disorders and diseases, from epilepsy to Alzheimer's. New research by Dr. Eve Seuntjens and Dr. Veronique van den Berghe of the Department of Development and Regeneration (Danny Huylebroeck laboratory, Faculty of Medicine) has identified two proteins, Sip1 and Unc5b, that play an important role in the development and migration of interneurons to the cerebral cortex - a breakthrough in our understanding of early brain development. 

The finding came from new research conducted by the Karolinska Institute in

Sweden and published in British Medical Journal.

About 10% of couples are affected by infertility around the world; since 1978, they have been able to use IVF to help them get pregnant. To date, IVF has contributed to an estimated 5 million births.

Scientists have been aware that the risk of blood clots becomes greater during normal pregnancy, about 1 in 1000 pregnant women developed them in the early 1990s. A recent study demonstrated that women who are pregnant and women who have given birth within the past 3 months are four times as likely to have "serious blood clot problems".