Article: Neurons developed from stem cells wired with other brain regions in animals

[Guest guest]

Neurons Developed from Stem Cells Successfully Wired With Other Brain Regions in

Animals

Transplanted neurons grown from embryonic stem cells can fully integrate into

the brains of young animals, according to new research in the Jan. 20 issue of

The Journal of Neuroscience.

________________________________

Healthy brains have stable and precise connections between cells that are

necessary for normal behavior. This new finding is the first to show that stem

cells can be directed not only to become specific brain cells, but to link

correctly.

In this study, a team of neuroscientists led by Weimann, PhD, of Stanford

Medical School focused on cells that transmit information from the brain's

cortex, some of which are responsible for muscle control. It is these neurons

that are lost or damaged in spinal cord injuries and amyotrophic lateral

sclerosis (ALS). " These stem cell-derived neurons can grow nerve fibers between

the brain's cerebral cortex and the spinal cord, so this study confirms the use

of stem cells for therapeutic goals, " Weimann said.

To integrate new cells into a brain successfully, the researchers first had to

condition unspecialized cells to become specific cells in the brain's cortex.

Cells that were precursors to cortical neurons were grown in a Petri dish until

they displayed many of the same characteristics as mature neurons. The young

neurons were then transplanted into the brains of newborn mice -- specifically,

into regions of the cortex responsible for vision, touch, and movement.

Until now, making these proper cellular connections has been a fundamental

problem in nervous system transplant therapy. In this case, the maturing neurons

extended to the appropriate brain structures, and, just as importantly, avoided

inappropriate areas. For example, cells transplanted into the visual cortex

reached two deep brain structures called the superior colliculus and the pons,

but not to the spinal cord; cells placed into the motor area of the cortex

stretched into the spinal cord but avoided the colliculus.

" The authors show that appropriate connectivity for one important class of

projection neurons can be obtained in newborn animals, " said Mahendra Rao, MD,

PhD, an expert in stem cell biology at Life Technology, who was unaffiliated

with the study.

The researchers also compared two methods used to grow transplantable cells,

only one of which produced the desired results. " The authors provide a protocol

for how to get the right kind of neurons to show appropriate connectivity, " Rao

said. " It's a huge advance in the practical use of these cells. "

Researchers will now explore whether the same results can be achieved in adult

animals and, ultimately, humans. Weimann and his colleagues also hope to

understand how the transplanted cells " knew " to connect in precisely the right

way, and whether they can generate the right behaviors, such as vision and

movement.

The research was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders

and Stroke, the Roman Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund, and The California

Institute for Regenerative Medicine

 

 

 

Need a sock monkey?http://www.etsy.com/shop/Americansockmonkey 

 

 

Please visit my Avon store:

www.youravon.com/aratterree