[Solved] Know More About Superior Colliculus

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.