Cell 'conductor' breakthrough may lead to new brain injury treatmentRSS Feed

Scientists have made a significant discovery about a part of the brain that directs cell production in adults, which could be key for understanding and treating brain injury in the future.

Researchers from North Carolina State University identified a gene that is responsible for the production of new brain cells in adults in the olfactory bulbs.

The findings, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, are revealing because cells belonging to this Foxj1 genetic lineage were found to have an instructive role, secreting molecules that affect the behaviour of neurons and how they function and develop.

Lead researcher Dr Troy Ghashghaei noted that most parts of the human adult brain cannot produce new neurons.

However, better understanding of the Foxj1 lineage opens up the possibility of deploying these cells to support brain injury repair. "If we can find out how to put these 'conductor' cells into other areas of the brain such as the spinal cord, it may lead to new cell-based therapies," he added.

Recent research by scientists at the University of Cincinnati indicated that alcohol could be causing brain injury in heavy drinkers through cortical-thinning of the pre-frontal cortex.

News from Serious Law, specialist brain injury solicitors

Posted by John Sherrington

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