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VOL. 73 (4), 1031-1045, 2007  EARLY NEURAL CELL DEATH: AN OVERLOOKED...

preliminary exploration of the neuroprotective role of proinsulin has
rendered promising results in a mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa.
Neurodegenerative diseases have a dramatic impact not only the
patients and their families but also, on society as a whole. Thus,
there is a need for intense basic and oriented research to provide
new therapeutic approaches to prevent neurodegeneration.

                              ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

    We thank Dr. Teresa Chavarría for contributing Figure 2 E and
F, and present and past members of the laboratory for their
dedication to the scientific projects. Research in the laboratory is
funded by grants-in-aid from the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y
Ciencia (SAF2007-66175-C02-01 to EJdlR, BFU2007-61055/BMC to
FdP, and BFU2006-00508 to PB). VGV is supported by a I3P contract
from the CSIC, and PB by a Ramón y Cajal contract from the
Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia.

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