Stem cells regenerate the brain after chemotherapy
Preclinical studies on rodents conducted by scientists from the University of California, Irvine, working under the guidance of Professor Charles Limoli, have shown that nerve stem cell transplantation performed a week after the end of chemotherapy restores cognitive impairment, which is a common side effect of chemotherapy drugs.
In many cases, the use of chemotherapy to treat various types of cancer leads to the development of the so-called "chemical brain", manifested by severe cognitive impairment. This condition can persist for a long time and in one way or another manifests itself in 75% of cancer survivors. Particularly severe consequences, as a rule, are observed in pediatric patients, who as a result may experience a decrease in intelligence, antisocial behavior and a decrease in quality of life.
Many anticancer chemotherapy drugs trigger an inflammatory process in the hippocampus, a region of the brain responsible for many cognitive abilities, such as learning and memory. This inflammation can lead to the death of neurons and other brain cells.
In addition, toxic chemotherapy drugs can damage the connective structures (processes) of neurons, known as dendrites and axons. This leads to a violation of the integrity of synapses – interneuronal contacts that ensure the transmission of electrical and chemical signals to brain tissue.
The result of all these processes is a deterioration in the ability of neurons to transmit signals that provide learning and memorization.
As part of their study, the authors implanted adult human neural stem cells into the brains of rats undergoing chemotherapy. The cells migrated to the hippocampus, where they differentiated and gave rise to different types of brain cells. They also triggered the secretion of neurotropic growth factors that promote the repair of damaged neurons.
Assessment of the state of cognitive functions of animals carried out a month after transplantation using an extensive set of behavioral tests showed significant improvements compared to the state of cognitive functions of animals in the control group.
Researchers believe that stem cell therapy will eventually alleviate the condition of cancer patients suffering from severe cognitive impairment. They hope to begin clinical trials of the approach within the next few years.
Article by Munjal M. Acharya et al. Human Neural Stem Cell Transplantation Ameliorates Radiation-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction is published in the journal Cancer Research.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on materials from the University of California, Irvine:
Human neural stem cells restore cognitive functions impaired by chemotherapy.
18.02.2015