Embryonic neuron breakthrough 'could revolutionise brain injury treatment'RSS Feed

26 February 2010

Embryonic neurons could be transplanted into humans that have suffered brain injury to help repair damaged circuits, new research has shown.

The findings are based on experiments on mice, which suggested that replacing the cells responsible for brain development could make the organ more flexible in older, more rigid brains that are less inclined to repair.

Lead author Michael Stryker, of the University of California, and his team demonstrated that embryonic neurons transplanted into the brains of mature mice resulted in repair usually only possible during a natural critical period.

Researchers believe that the findings, published in the journal Science, have potential implications for treating brain injury.

Speaking to the Scientist, Harvard University researcher Takao Hensch, who was also involved in the study, said: "This is a very nice demonstration that just transplanting those very cells that [influence brain development] initially can reintroduce a period of plasticity.

"The obvious therapeutic implications are very exciting."

Earlier this week, European scientists published findings in the journal Neuroimage, which suggested that different parts of the brain are used to learn verbs and nouns.

This could prove a crucial finding when developing treatments for brain injury that has affected speech in the future.

Serious Law, award winning traumatic brain injury law firm ADNFCR-2547-ID-19639757-ADNFCR