Articles tagged with Neural Stem Cells
Researchers have created a plentiful supply of glial progenitor cells, which produce myelin, by mastering the chemical symphony that instructs them to divide. This breakthrough could lead to treatments for diseases like multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.
A recent study led by Caltech researchers provides new insights into the process of neural crest cell development. The team discovered that DNA-methyltransferase (DNMT) enzyme acts as a switch to determine which cells will remain part of the central nervous system and which will become neural crest cells.
Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center claim to be close to human application of stem cell therapies for neurological diseases. They focus on oligodendrocytes and glial progenitor cells, which can be easily manipulated and transplanted.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered that glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) can originate from cortical neurons, challenging previous assumptions about its origins. This finding suggests potential new targets to treat these deadly brain tumors and may help slow progression and recurrence.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine found that neural stem cells secrete substances that activate microglia, boosting their numbers and strength. This new understanding could improve brain function and lead to the development of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Salk scientists pinpointed damage to neural stem cells, specifically deformed nuclear envelopes, leading to neuronal loss and dysfunction in Parkinson's patients. The discovery may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, including targeted gene-editing technologies.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have identified a neuroprotective drug called ethoxyquin that effectively prevented nerve damage in mice treated with chemotherapy drugs, as well as protected nerves in diabetic rats and the mouse model of HIV. This finding has significant implications for developing new treatments for neuropathy.
Researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have isolated neural precursor cells from skeletal muscle tissue, which can survive in the brain and migrate to areas where neural stem cells originate. The cells also showed no signs of tumor formation, offering a potential alternative source for treating brain tumors and other central...
Scientists at UCSF have successfully transplanted embryonic neurons into newborn mice brains, defying the prevailing theory on cell death in developing brains. The study suggests that a fraction of cells may die due to unknown 'signals' rather than competition for survival factors.
A Phase I clinical trial demonstrates signs of engraftment and safety at 1 year, with modest gains in neurological function. The study provides encouraging results for the use of transplanted neural stem cells as a potential treatment for severe myelination diseases.
Researchers have discovered a way to generate new human neurons from pericytes, a type of adult cell in the brain. This breakthrough has strong potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Neural stem cells successfully regenerates axons across the site of complete spinal transaction, leading to functional recovery in rats. The study also showed that adult cells can regenerate into neural stem cells, establishing a new relay circuit that can be measured electrically.
Researchers discovered that green tea's EGCG chemical property increases neural progenitor cells, enhancing learning and memory. The study found that EGCG-treated mice required less time to find hidden platforms in mazes.
Researchers used an experimental cancer drug to treat abnormal brain cell growth in mice with neurofibromatosis 1. The study showed that early treatment can prevent learning disabilities in these children by promoting normal neural stem cell development.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg discovered how astrocytes control the formation of new neurons in the brain. By secreting specific molecules and cell-cell interactions, astrocytes regulate the birth rate of new neurons and their integration into existing neuronal networks.
Scientists have identified a new stem cell population that gives rise to neurons in the upper layers of the cerebral cortex, which are responsible for higher thinking. This finding paves the way for developing better treatments for cognitive disorders such as schizophrenia and autism by producing these neurons in culture.
Researchers discovered that brain stem cells monitor chemical communication between nearby neurons to determine when to remain dormant or create new cells. The findings may reveal how the brain reacts to its environment and how antidepressants work, increasing brain cell numbers in animals.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are developing a new treatment for ALS using a combination of stem cells and gene therapy. The grant will fund an 18-patient clinical trial for ALS in four years, with the potential to protect damaged motor neurons and deliver the protein GDNF exactly where it's needed.
Researchers found that neural precursor cells protect the young brain against high-grade gliomas, especially glioblastoma, by inducing stress-induced cell-death in tumor cells. The cells release substances that activate TRPV1 ion channels in the tumor cells, leading to their death.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have developed a protocol to convert cord blood cells into neuron-like cells, which may represent a new therapeutic option for neurological conditions. The method uses a single protein, Sox2, and demonstrates the conversion of cord blood cells into functional neurons.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine found that stem cells from a specific part of the developing brain contribute to brain tumors caused by neurofibromatosis type 1. The study suggests that understanding the unique characteristics of these stem cells may lead to more effective treatments for pediatric brain tumors.
A diabetes drug called metformin has been found to promote the growth of new brain cells and enhance spatial memory formation. The study's lead author suggests that the widely used medication may also offer cognitive benefits for people with Alzheimer's disease, independent of its effects on blood sugar control.
Scientists successfully converted skin cells from a patient with severe Huntington's disease into neurons that degenerate like those affected by the fatal disorder. This breakthrough enables researchers to test potential drug therapies on human brain cells in a dish.
Researchers at the Buck Institute have corrected the genetic mutation responsible for Huntington's Disease using human induced pluripotent stem cells. The corrected cells generated normal neurons in a mouse model of the disease, offering new hope for cell therapy treatments.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum successfully transformed spinal cord stem cells into immature nerve cells using sodium chlorate. This development holds promise for improving cell replacement therapies in diseases such as Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Researchers in Japan have concluded that adult-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells demonstrate similar survival and neural differentiation capabilities when transplanted into mouse cochleae. However, iPS cell transplantation is associated with a risk of tumor growth, highlighting the importa...
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes successfully transformed skin cells into brain cells using Sox2 gene, potentially leading to better models for testing drugs for devastating neurodegenerative conditions. The breakthrough could accelerate drug development and reduce risks associated with human trials.
Researchers found that olfactory neural stem cells can be derived from a patient's own cells and have shown promise in pre-clinical models of disease. They demonstrated multipotency by acquiring the phenotype of resident cells, making them a potential source for cell therapy.
Dr. Patricia Dickson's research aims to develop a stem cell-based therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis I, a fatal pediatric disease causing neurodegeneration. The project seeks to address critical issues in the development of therapeutic candidates.
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund has awarded grants to 29 Johns Hopkins researchers working on stem cell metabolism, disease modeling, and therapy development. New therapies aim to replace damaged cells in patients with conditions like schizophrenia and Rett syndrome.
Researchers at Lund University developed a new technique that converts stem cells into brain cells with improved safety and efficiency. The method mimics the brain's natural development process, reducing the risk of tumour formation and improving cell integration.
Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem have successfully generated neuronal cells from stem cells of Fragile X patients, paving the way for restoration of normal gene expression. The study identified a chemical compound, 5-azaC, that can clear methyl groups and reactivate FMR1 gene expression in both stem and neuronal brain cells.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a protein that regulates brain development by blocking Notch proteins. The discovery, published in Developmental Cell, sheds light on developmental disorders and conditions involving new neuron generation.
Researchers at UCLA identified new genetic components controlling neural stem cell adhesion and proliferation, crucial for normal nervous system development. The study's findings could lead to a better understanding of birth defects and disorders like autism, as well as the formation of brain tumors.
Scientists at Lund University have identified a new stem cell type in the adult brain that can form various cell types, including neuronal cells. The discovery holds promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases and stroke by harnessing the stem cell's repair mechanisms.
A molecular pathway that controls the retention and release of brain stem cells has been identified. The discovery reveals that this pathway is critical for the adhesion of stem cells to their niche and for stem cell maintenance, suggesting a new idea in understanding stem cell regulation.
Researchers at Lund University have identified a new stem cell in the adult brain that can proliferate and form several different cell types, including new brain cells. The discovery has great potential for developing methods to heal and repair brain injury and disease.
Researchers at IBN discover engineered human stem cells can target and inhibit tumor growth, prolonging survival in mice with breast tumors. This finding paves the way for innovative stem cell-based therapies, offering a promising alternative to conventional cancer treatment.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus found that a lack of a specific gene interrupts neural tube closure, a condition that can lead to serious birth defects. The study reveals new insights into neural tube development and opens up a new pathway for understanding how neural tube defects occur.
A team of researchers has identified a novel transcripitonal cascade that controls gliogenesis, the process by which glial cells are generated from neural stem cells. This discovery provides new insights into how glial cells support neuronal function and are implicated in neurological disorders such as Retts Syndrome, ALS, and Multiple...
Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a method to convert skin and umbilical cord cells directly into nerve cells with high efficiency. The scientists achieved this by using small molecules to optimize signaling pathways and simplify the process, resulting in up to 80% human neurons being produced.
The Phase I trial of Neuralstem's spinal cord stem cells found one patient showed improvement in clinical status, while the treatment was safe and tolerable for all 12 patients. The trial has been approved to proceed with cervical transplantations targeting motor neurons that control respiratory function.
The University of Bonn team has successfully derived brain stem cells directly from connective tissue in mice, which can reproduce and be converted into various types of brain cells. This method is faster, safer, and associated with a lower risk of tumors compared to existing approaches.
Researchers have developed a new method to induce somatic stem cells directly from fully differentiated skin cells. This breakthrough reduces the risk of tumor formation and increases their therapeutic potential for tissue regeneration.
A new study suggests that stem cells could potentially restore muscle coordination deficits in patients with Huntington's disease. Researchers successfully integrated human embryonic stem cells into mouse brains, reestablishing the broken communication network and restoring motor function.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have created early retina structures containing proliferating neuroretinal progenitor cells using induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human blood. The structures showed the capacity to form layers of cells, which possessed the machinery to communicate information.
The study reveals that the REST molecule acts as an adapter for genetic switches, coupling molecular on-off switches with neural genes to regulate neuronal development. This mechanism is essential for proper brain function and may be linked to cancer and other diseases.
Researchers found that repeated injections of human umbilical cord blood cells improved motor neuron survival, delayed disease progression, and increased lifespan in mice modeling ALS. The study suggests that low-dose cell administration could be beneficial for patients with ALS even after symptom onset.
Scientists have identified endothelial and perivascular cells as the key creators of the niche that nurtures haematopoietic stem cells. This discovery could lead to increased safety and effectiveness of bone marrow transplantation by replicating signals that promote blood-forming stem cell expansion.
Neural stem cell derivatives from human pluripotent stem cells are prone to chromosomal instability, particularly with chromosome 1q, which has been linked to blood cell cancers and pediatric brain tumors.
Researchers successfully converted stem cells from umbilical cords into oligodendrocytes, critical cells that insulate nerves in the brain and spinal cord. The breakthrough offers new hope for treating spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis by injecting healthy oligodendrocytes into the body.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston identified key molecular mechanisms by which implanted human neural stem cells aid recovery from traumatic axonal injury. The study found that stem cell transplantation prevents further axonal injury and promotes axonal regrowth through the secretion of glial derived ne...
Adult stem cells have been found in the retina of the eye, which can divide and form other cell types. This discovery opens up potential treatments for diseases like age-related macular degeneration, as these cells may be able to repair damaged tissue.
Research reveals that aging-related tissue degeneration is caused by defects in energy metabolism of tissue stem cells. Early antioxidant treatment may partially prevent these defects, indicating a key role for oxygen radicals in regulating stem cell function.
Researchers aim to identify mechanisms that define embryonic olfactory epithelium stem cells, which are linked to neurological and psychiatric diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The goal is to harness these mechanisms for brain repair and regeneration.
Researchers have identified a genetic trigger that promotes the differentiation of olfactory stem cells into sensory neurons in the nose epithelia. This discovery provides potential therapeutic strategies for treating anosmia and other age-related declines in sense of smell.
Researchers found that dental pulp stem cells can inhibit nerve cell death, promote nerve regeneration, and replace lost support cells in rats with severe spinal cord injuries. The study aims to translate this approach into an effective treatment for severe spinal cord injury.
Researchers have identified a new pool of stem cells in the heart with long-term expansion capacity and ability to form various cell types, including muscle, bone, and neural cells. This discovery may lay the foundation for regenerative therapies to enhance tissue repair in the heart.
Researchers at Harvard University have created genetically-altered neurons that light up as they fire, allowing them to trace signal propagation and study neural pathways. This breakthrough has the potential to speed up drug development and advance our understanding of genetic conditions.
Scientists at the University of Bonn have made a breakthrough in understanding Machado-Joseph disease by studying nerve cells derived from patients' skin cells. The research reveals that electrical activity in these cells triggers protein aggregation, explaining why the disease affects only nerve cells.