Against the effects of stroke
Stem cells repaired brain damage in mice after stroke
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
To achieve the effect, scientists needed a single injection, and the result was preserved even after the removal of cells from the body. This is how it is planned to treat people: to mass produce a cellular product in the laboratory and freeze it until a person needs an injection.
Researchers from the University of California at Los Angeles have presented a new experimental stem cell therapy, which, when injected into the brain, triggers the necessary stimulation processes to restore neural connections. Experiments have shown that this is a very promising way to treat the effects of stroke and dementia.
Brain white matter tissue damaged as a result of a stroke (left), and restored with the help of a new glial cell therapy (right). A snapshot from the UCLA Health Stem cell therapy press release promotes recovery from stroke and dementia in mice - VM.
The drug is based on human skin or blood cells, which are first reprogrammed into embryonic stem cells and then become glial cells. The latter are necessary to support the neurons of the brain. The introduction of these cells into damaged areas of the brain triggers the release of special chemicals – growth factors, which further stimulate brain stem cells to trigger a regenerative response.
Experiments on mouse models have shown that treatment not only limits the progression of damage, but also enhances the formation of new neural connections and the production of myelin, which forms a protective sheath of nerve fibers.
Scientists have also recorded improvements in the memory function of animals. It is noteworthy that when a few months later they removed the previously introduced cells, the effect was still preserved. This is due to the fact that treatment, first of all, does not restore the brain directly, but only stimulates the body's own reserves. This advantage is very important, scientists believe, because there is no need to worry about the ability of cells to persist for a long time to maintain the effect.
If clinical trials prove the safety and effectiveness of therapy for humans, then scientists plan to use cells as a finished product for treatment. They can be produced in unlimited quantities in the laboratory, frozen, and then distributed to hospitals. Such opportunities are especially important for people with stroke, who have a very limited period of time to affect damaged tissues.
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