Articles tagged with Neural Stem Cells
A study by UC San Diego and HHMI researchers reveals that SMRT protein prevents premature neural differentiation in embryos, highlighting its role in maintaining neural stem cells. The absence of this protein leads to abnormalities similar to vitamin A exposure, suggesting a link between SMRT and retinoic acid-induced differentiation.
Scientists have discovered a new approach to treat Huntington's disease using stem-cell therapy, which created thousands of new medium spiny neurons in mice. The treatment resulted in improved health and lifespan for the treated mice.
Researchers created methods to study millions of stem cells on devices the size of a microscope slide, enabling thousands of individual stem cell experiments to be carried out quickly. A platform was also developed to understand how different genes impact stem cell function or development, allowing for rapid screening of genetic sequen...
McMaster researchers have made an important finding about Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), a sex-linked genetic disorder that affects cognitive function and learning. The study discovered that glial cells in the brain also produce the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), contributing to abnormal neuronal structures seen in FXS patients.
Scientists discovered that gap junctions play a crucial role in neuronal migration, and their adhesion function may also contribute to cancer spread. The discovery highlights the potential for gap junctions as a therapeutic target in brain tumors.
Researchers identified a protein signal that prevents neural stem cells from becoming neurons, shedding light on the maturation process of stem cells. The discovery could simplify stem cell isolation and potentially have implications for treating nervous system damage.
HIV/AIDS interferes with stem cells in the adult brain, preventing new nerve cells from forming, which is a key feature of AIDS dementia. The researchers discovered a novel molecular mechanism that inhibits stem cell proliferation, possibly triggered in other neurodegenerative diseases as well.
Researchers have developed a method to produce highly pure and functional neurons from human embryonic stem cells, enabling the creation of models for studying neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The new approach allows for the isolation of specific neuronal populations with defined biological properties.
Researchers found that transplanted stem cells triggered the brain's self-repair mechanisms by boosting nerve survival and blood vessel development. The study suggests that stem cells may be more effective at repairing damaged brain tissue than previously thought.
Adult neural stem cells give rise to three major brain cell types, but are specified to produce specific subtypes of neurons. The discovery suggests that creating specific neuron types may require replacing combinations of different neuronal types for effective reestablishment of neural function.
Researchers from Yale University and others report that injecting human neural stem cells into primates with severe Parkinson's disease improved symptoms such as tremors and motor function. The study found that the stem cells survived, migrated, and had a functional impact, suggesting a potential therapeutic value.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have successfully tracked human neural stem cells transplanted into the brains of rats, which migrated towards damaged areas and matured into functional neurons. The study used iron particles to track the cells in real-time, paving the way for potential human clinical trials.
Researchers at UC San Diego report that grafting human spinal stem cells into paralyzed rats restored ambulatory function within six weeks. The study demonstrates the potential of stem cell therapy to reconstruct neural circuitry and treat debilitating muscle spasticity.
Hopkins researchers discovered a backup supply of stem cells that can repair severe damage to the nerves responsible for our sense of smell. These stem cells, called HBCs, grow from a population of cells not previously known for repair abilities and generate other active nasal stem cells.
Researchers found that stem cells can induce a protective effect in brain tissue damaged by stroke, reducing ischemic injury. The study reveals that microglia cells also play a protective role in this reaction.
Researchers have developed an in vitro model of ALS using embryonic stem cells, providing insights into the disease's mechanisms. The studies suggest that astrocytes may be toxic to motor neurons in ALS, offering a potential target for new therapies.
Scientists at Case Western Reserve University have isolated cochlear stem cells, which may regenerate damaged hair cells and restore normal hearing. The discovery offers a potential therapy for noise-induced and genetic hearing loss affecting millions worldwide.
Researchers have discovered that neural progenitor cells derived from human fetal stem cells can protect the vision of animals with degenerative eye disease. The new findings suggest novel ways to preserve vision in humans with no effective treatments.
Dr. Evan Snyder's study demonstrates human neural stem cells slow Sandhoff disease progression in mice, offering promise for brain repair therapies for special-needs children. The research lays groundwork for potential therapies for other complex childhood brain disorders.
Researchers used human embryonic stem cells to treat a degenerative disease in mice, demonstrating the first successful use of hESCs in a diseased brain. The treatment not only replaced damaged nerve cells but also boosted the brain's supply of an enzyme and reduced inflammation.
Scientists identified a molecular switch that causes differentiation of neurons in the cerebellum, a part of the brain controlling movement. The discovery provides new insights into brain formation mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications for rare diseases like cerebellar ataxias.
Researchers successfully produced neurons in vitro using stem cells from adult human skin, a breakthrough that could lead to revolutionary advances in treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's. The method used involves extracting neuron precursor cells from skin samples and cultivating them in an appropriate environment.
Researchers found that Olig2, a transcription factor, enables tumor growth in brain cancer by repressing cell-replication brake p21. Knocking out Olig2 function nearly eliminated tumor formation in mouse models.
Researchers create a super-thin membrane, 50 atoms thick, that can sort individual molecules with high efficiency. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize dialysis, fuel cells, and neuro-stem cell cultivation.
Researchers have successfully transplanted human nerve stem cells into rats' damaged spinal cords, which survived, grew, and formed connections with native cells. The breakthrough establishes a new doctrine for regenerative neuroscience, suggesting the spinal cord can support transplanted cell development.
Researchers successfully differentiated human neural stem cell grafts into functional neurons in the spinal cord of adult rats, growing axons and forming synapses with motor neurons. However, further studies are needed to determine whether these cells can function correctly and provide benefits for patients.
A study published in PLoS Biology finds that low levels of toxic substances cause critical stem cells to prematurely shut down. The research identifies a common molecular trigger for the effects of toxicant exposure, offering new insights into damage caused by toxicant exposure and potential methods to evaluate chemical safety.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center successfully cultured stem cells from human bone marrow that can differentiate into neurons and other central nervous system cells. These cells exhibit behaviors similar to those derived from brain tissue, suggesting a promising approach for treating brain disorders and tumors.
Researchers discovered that stem cell activity decreases with age due to reduced division, not a lack of starting material. The finding offers new avenues for combating cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Adult stem cells in a specific region of the mouse brain have a built-in mechanism to participate in the repair and remodeling of damaged tissue. The study's findings suggest that these cells may also exist in humans, potentially leading to new treatments for disorders like stroke and traumatic injury.
Researchers found that mice with severely damaged brains showed substantial mending within weeks after losing specific genes. The repair was attributed to neural stem cell 'escapees' that retained or restored the gene activity, enabling regenerative potential.
New research demonstrates that Aurora-A kinase suppresses neuroblast self-renewal and promotes differentiation in fruit fly stem cells. This finding may provide new clues to the molecular basis of Aurora-A involvement in human cancers, including brain tumors.
Researchers have discovered that transplanted neural stem cells can survive, differentiate into neurons, and form synapses with host tissue, potentially offering a new treatment for Parkinson's disease. The study shows promise in reducing the destruction of dopaminergic cells and replacing those lost to the disease.
A groundbreaking study by neurologist Steven Goldman and his team used stem cells to treat Parkinson's disease in rats, achieving a remarkable improvement in symptoms. However, brain tumors appeared due to the stem cells' uncontrolled growth, prompting an urgent need to find solutions.
A study published in the Journal of Biology found that chemotherapy drugs can cause long-term damage to brain cells, killing neural stem cells and oligodendrocytes, and impairing neural stem cell division. This may explain the adverse neurological side effects observed in some cancer patients treated with chemotherapy.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have shown that transplanting human stem cells into spinal cords of rats bred to duplicate Lou Gehrig's disease delays the start of nerve cell damage typical of the disease and slightly prolongs life. The transplanted stem cells develop into nerve cells that make substantial connections with existing nerves.
Researchers found increasing p16INK4a levels in older cells, leading to poor function and premature aging. Studies suggest a common aging mechanism across disparate cell types, with implications for age-related diseases like diabetes.
Researchers at Harvard University have identified two compounds, LTB4 and LXA4, that stimulate stem cell growth in the brain. These findings may lead to new therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Scientists from the University of Florida have found that ordinary human brain cells can generate new brain tissue in mice and produce large amounts of new brain cells in culture. This discovery could potentially be used to fight Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and other brain disorders.
A study published in Nature identifies a subunit of the NMDA receptor as crucial for young neurons to survive and integrate into adult brain circuits. The discovery sheds light on how newborn nerve cells in adult brains live or die.
Researchers at UCLA compared neural stem cells grown in the lab to those derived from donated fetal tissue and found the former expressed lower levels of a metabolic gene called CPT 1A. This abnormality may impact the effectiveness of these stem cells in treating diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
Abnormal stimulation of a cellular trigger causes invasive tumor-like growths in mice, which regress upon removal. The study suggests a possible treatment for lethal brain tumors by targeting PDGFRá B cells.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that neural crest cell formation occurs earlier than previously thought, independent of tissue interactions. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of developmental disorders such as cleft palate and heart valve malformations.
Embryonic stem cells diversify to form various neural structures when cultured on different surfaces, with laminin influencing specific pathways crucial for brain cell generation and survival. Laminin's role in directing stem cells to become specialized neurons sheds light on fundamental mysteries of brain development.
Researchers at SickKids have discovered that stem cells found in adult skin can generate Schwann cells that can myelinate demyelinated axons and provide a growth environment for injured central nervous system axons. This breakthrough has the potential to treat nerve injuries, demyelination disorders such as multiple sclerosis, and spin...
Researchers have identified the specific step in the neurogenesis pathway that Prozac (fluoxetine) stimulates, increasing the number of neurons in the brain. The study's findings lay the foundation for future cell replacement therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have discovered that a specific neural stem cell gene, SOX2, is crucial for the normal development of the eye. The study found that disruption of this gene leads to abnormalities in eye formation and microphtalmia, a condition affecting 10% of human cases. The severity of the condition depends on the degree of SOX2 disruption.
Researchers developed a new type of immature support cell from embryonic glial stem cells that can regenerate nerve fibers and promote healing. The study showed over 60% of sensory nerve fibers regenerating and more than two-thirds growing through the injury site in rats.
Researchers explore risk factors for dementia, including the Mediterranean diet and obesity, as well as novel treatments for Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. Experimental therapies also show promise in treating ALS and stroke, with potential applications in other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers administered stem cells to animals with significant mobility loss after stroke, showing a 25% greater improvement in motor function compared to controls. In another model of cerebral palsy, rodent stem cells improved recovery by at least 25% within two weeks.
Researchers found that marrow-derived neural stem-like cells genetically engineered to produce interleukin-23 can track and destroy glioma cells, providing long-term immunity. This discovery offers a promising new therapeutic option for treating brain tumors.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have created a detailed map of the lateral wall of the subventricle zone, suggesting the potential existence of human brain stem cells. The discovery also reveals displaced ependymal cells that may be related to cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that adding neurotrophins to human embryonic stem cells increases cell survival by 36-fold. This discovery could enable mass production of stem cells for disease treatment and prevent tumor formation.
University of Minnesota researchers identify a new population of cord blood stem cells that can regenerate nerve tissue after stroke. The discovery shows promise for treating neurological disorders such as stroke, which affects nearly 750,000 people in the US each year.
Researchers discovered that the normal form of mad cow protein promotes neurogenesis by helping precursor cells differentiate into mature neurons. The study found that increased levels of PrP accelerate neuron production, while decreased levels slow it down.
Two genes, Lmx1a and Msx1, play a critical role in forming cerebral dopamine cells. This discovery can be used to control the formation of dopamine-producing cells from stem cells in a highly effective manner, representing an important step towards a stem-cell-based treatment for Parkinson's Disease.
A master determinant was identified to generate dopamine neurons from embryonic stem cells, promising advances in cell replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease. The discovery also highlights the importance of understanding developmental processes for producing authentic cells from stem cells.
The sympathetic nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating hematopoietic stem cell mobilization. Researchers found that defects in the transmission of signals via this system can stall stem cell movement. Drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system restored stem cell movement in mice with impaired ability to respond to n...
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that new neurons in the adult brain are excited by GABA, a chemical previously thought to inhibit signals. The findings may help increase neuron regeneration and improve connections between transplanted stem cells.
Scientists have engineered human brain progenitor cells to produce a growth factor that has shown clinical promise for treating Parkinson's disease. The cells were transplanted into rats and monkeys, delivering the drug where it is needed, promoting nerve fiber growth and improving survival of defective cells.