A study recently done at Oregon Health and Science University Doernbecher Children's Hospital has shown that Neural Stem Cells can survive and produce functioning myelin in mice that are suffering from severe myelin loss. Myelin is a fatty insulation that protects nerve fibers in the brain and is essential for normal brain function. This is a huge step in stem cell therapy because of the fact that many people that suffer from such illness' are not diagnosed until symptoms begin to show. Some diseases that result from myelin loss are Cerebal Palsy and Multiple Sclerosis. Other diseases that result in the loss of myalin can be fatal. The study showed that ageing and memory loss is due to a vast change in white matter. This results in the damaged myelin and progressive senility.
The mice used in this study had a genetic mutation that caused proggressice neurological deterioration because the brain is unable to make myelin. Stem cells were transplanted into the brains of the mice and it was found that the stem cells were able to survive as well as make functioning myelin. MRI scans showed that production of myelin had begun just a week after transplantation. This is a huge step for stem cell therapy.
If this study proves to be a plausable treatment of such disorders. Such an advancement could lead to the furthuring of other stem cell studies. If such advancements were made who knows the cures or treatments that may be found in the future.
Live Long and Prosper!
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/10/10/human_neural_stem_cells_study_offers_new_hope_for_children_with_fatal_brain_diseases.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+biologynews%2Fheadlines+%28Biology+News+Net%29
Nice. Hopefully we see the same results with humans. Now if we could find a way to slow down the changes in white matter.
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