Scientists discover how stem cells help traumatic brain injuryRSS Feed

Scientists have discovered how stem cell implants are able to help heal traumatic brain injury, according to new research.

A study published in the Journal of Neurotrauma reports how scientists identified key molecular mechanisms by which implanted human neural stem cells are able to aid recovery from traumatic brain injury.

University of Texas professor Ping Wu explained that axons and dendrites are the basis of neuron-to-neuron communication, and when they are lost, neuron function is lost.

Stem cell transplantation was found to both prevent further axonal injury and promote axonal re-growth, due to a number of molecular mechanisms that were previously unknown, he explains.

Researchers identified around 400 proteins that respond differently after injury and grafting with neural stem cells before grouping them into a state-of-the-art internet database.

"We're quite excited about these discoveries, because they're highly novel," he said.

"This kind of detailed study is essential to developing safe and effective therapies for traumatic brain injury."

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Posted by John Sherrington

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