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Superior colliculus. Many people have suffered spinal cord
and brain injuries, not to mention amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou
Gehrig's disease, a debilitating disease characterized by muscle weakness in
the arms and legs, followed by difficulty swallowing, speaking and breathe (Dorland's
Medical Dictionary (DMD)). Finally, the muscles become completely useless and
the patient becomes tetraplegic (DMD). That said, scientists have discovered
how to use stem cells to generate new nerve cells in the brains of mice.
Neuroscientists at the Stanford School of Medicine
transplanted neurons (nerve cells) that grow from embryonic stem cells and
integrated them into the brains of mice, according to new research published in
the Jan. 20 issues of The Journal of Neuroscience. The investigation expresses
that sound cerebrums have steady and exact associations between cells that are
essential for typical conduct in creatures, including people. This new
discovering is the first to show that foundational microorganisms can be
focused to become explicit synapses. Truth be told, undifferentiated organisms
become explicit synapses, yet they tie accurately, as per look into. This is
good news for people suffering from neurological disorders, brain or spinal
cord injuries. Such a discovery sets the stage for a possible cure for
nerve-related diseases.
The research focused mainly on cells that transmit
information from the cerebral cortex, including some that are responsible for
controlling muscle movements. It is these nerve cells or neurons that are lost
or harmed in spinal line wounds and amyotrophic parallel sclerosis (ALS), as
indicated by the investigation. According to research, these neuron-like stem
cells can produce nerve fibers or nerve tissue between the cerebral cortex of
the brain and the spinal cord. Therefore, this study confirms the use of stem
cells for medicinal use (The Journal of Neuroscience).
To effectively coordinate new cells into the test cerebrum,
the scientists previously needed to condition non-specific undeveloped cells to
become particular cells in the cerebral cortex of the mind. Foundational
microorganisms that were forerunners of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex
(neurons) were developed in a Petri dish until they demonstrated a large number
of indistinguishable attributes from developing nerve cells. Young nerve cells
were then transplanted to the brain of newborn mice, specifically to regions of
the cerebral cortex that is responsible for vision, touch, and movement (The
Journal of Neuroscience).
Such a successful neurological transplant was never possible
until now. The reason is that researchers would generally find important
fundamental problems in the therapy or experiment of transplantation of the
nervous system. Therefore, it is a blessing to see an experiment of this
successful nature.
As in the stages of development of a new fetus when
different types of precursor cells know exactly where they should go and what
they should do, the experimental neurons induced by stem cells in this study
perform their tasks, extending accordingly to the structures appropriate
brains, avoiding inappropriate ones. For example, stem cell producers of transplanted
neurons in the visual cortex of the brain reached two deep brain structures
called the superior colliculus and bump, but did not reach the spinal cord; On
the other hand, the neuron-producing stem cells placed in the motor of the
cortex stretched into the spinal cord, but totally avoided the superior
colliculus, according to the study. This feat is simply amazing in fully
developed animals. Of course, it is not unusual in newly developed fetuses;
however, it is almost impossible in fully developed animals, such as mice, and
it will soon be human.
This study is particularly incredible given that it was only
one of two techniques capable of culturing transplanted stem cells that gave
the desired result. That is to show us that it was not an easy task to create a
successful experiment of this nature. Therefore, it is a breakthrough in the
use of these cells, (The Journal of Neuroscience).
The use of stem cells to develop nerve cells in mice is a
feat that has never been done before. This discovery definitely set the stage
for a possible cure for spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and ALS.
Therefore, people suffering from these ailments can be better sure that there
could be relief in the not so distant future.
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