April 22, 2013
Researchers at
the University of Wisconsin-Madison have successfully transformed human embryonic
stem cells into nerve cells that helped mice regain their memory and
the ability to learn.
Senior
author Su-Chun
Zhang, a professor of neuroscience and neurology at the university, said
that he and his colleagues have for the first time demonstrated that human stem
cells can implant themselves in the brain and heal neurological defects.
Once they were
inserted into the brain of the rodents, the implanted stem cells formed two
common but essential types of neurons. Those neurons – which Zhang said are
involved with many different types of human behavior, emotions, learning,
memory, and psychiatric issues – communicate with the chemicals GABA or
acetylcholine.
The embryonic stem
cells used in the study were cultured in a laboratory using chemicals known to
promote development into nerve cells. Zhang has worked on similar projects for
the past 15 years, according to the university, and has helped pioneer research
in the field.
As for the
mice, they were said to be a special type which did not reject transplants from
other species. An area of their brains responsible for memory and learning,
known as the medial septum, were then intentionally damaged. The medial septum
connects to the GABA and cholinergic neurons, Zhang said.
“This
circuitry is fundamental to our ability to learn and remember,” he added.
The human
cells were transplanted into the hippocampus, a key memory center located at
the opposite end of those memory circuits. Following the successful
implementation of the stem cells, the mice reportedly scored “significantly”
better on common tests in both memory and learning.
“After the
transferred cells were implanted, in response to chemical directions from the
brain, they started to specialize and connect to the appropriate cells in the
hippocampus,” the university explained in a statement. “The process is akin to
removing a section of telephone cable… If you can find the correct route, you
could wire the replacement from either end.”
For the study,
Zhang and his colleagues chemically directed the embryonic stem cells to begin
differentiation into neural cells. They then injected those intermediate cells
into the mice, ensuring that the cells would not become unwanted cell types
once they entered their subjects’ bodies.
No comments:
Post a Comment
You only need to enter your comment once! Comments will appear once they have been moderated. This is so as to stop the would-be comedian who has been spamming the comments here with inane and often offensive remarks. You know who you are!