Articles tagged with Neural Stem Cells
Researchers at University of Sheffield and UCL identified a key stage in forming the enteric nervous system using pluripotent stem cells. This breakthrough could pave the way for new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, which is initiated in the enteric nervous system before reaching the brain.
Researchers found autistic nerve cells differ in structure and gene expression from typical individuals as early as 9 days into development. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells to model brain development and provides new insights into the origins of autism.
Researchers discovered that mitochondria regulate the key event of neural stem cells becoming nerve cells during brain development. The study found that mitochondrial dynamics are important to cell fate choice and that this influence is limited to a specific time window, twice as long in humans compared to mice.
Researchers at the University of Illinois trained light-sensitive neurons using timed pulses of light during early cell development, leading to improved connections, responsivity, and gene expression. The early training resulted in long-lasting improvements, whereas cells trained later had transient responses.
In a breakthrough study, scientists successfully implanted highly specialized neural stem cell grafts directly into mouse spinal cord injuries, showing they integrated with host networks and behaved like neurons. The grafts displayed spontaneous activity, responded to sensory stimuli, and formed functional connections with host neurons.
Scientists have identified stem cells in the optic nerve that help preserve vision and may lead to new therapeutic strategies for disorders causing blindness. The discovery presents a new theory on why glaucoma develops and provides potential ways to treat this leading cause of blindness in American adults.
A nationwide survey of academic neurologists reveals that bad outcomes from stem cell tourism are much more common than realized, with complications including infections, strokes, spinal tumors, seizures, and even deaths. Many neurologists feel ill-equipped to warn patients about the dangers of unproven treatments.
A new study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 infection drives the loss of smell by targeting non-neuronal cells in the nasal cavity. The virus expresses key genes in these cells, which are responsible for damage and anosmia.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 causes smell loss due to infection of nonneuronal supporting cells, not neurons. The research team found that olfactory sensory neurons are not vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection because they do not express ACE2, a key protein used by the virus to enter human cells.
A strong cellular lining is essential for a healthy gut, and damage to it can cause painful symptoms. Monash University researchers have identified a key biomolecule, Neuregulin-1, that accelerates the repair of damaged tissue by prompting stem cells to regenerate.
Researchers found that the sympathetic nerve connects to hair follicle stem cells, bridging the gap between nervous system control and hair regeneration. The muscle facilitates this connection, allowing the nerve to directly regulate stem cell behavior and promote new hair growth in response to temperature changes.
Researchers at Universitat Pompeu Fabra discovered that blood vessels communicate with sensory neurons through dynamic protrusions, allowing them to regulate cell growth and maintenance of stem cells. This communication is crucial for the development and regeneration of the peripheral nervous system.
A new NIH study suggests that deactivating certain genes in the human genome may play a role in controlling the differentiation of stem cells into neurons. The research found that these genes, which were once thought to be inactive 'junk DNA', may help regulate the maturation process of stem cells, leading to improved understanding of ...
Researchers developed a model of the early embryonic brain, enabling them to study brain development and create tissue that resembles an embryonic brain. This breakthrough paves the way for faster production of specific nerve cells for stem cell therapy.
Researchers at Lund University have created a new model that mimics the early developmental stages of the human brain, allowing them to study how different regions form and potentially produce specific neural cells for treatment. The model, called MiSTR, enables faster production of neural cells for neurological diseases.
A new animal study demonstrates that transplanted human glial cells can repair damage and restore function in models of multiple sclerosis. The findings have significant therapeutic implications and represent a proof-of-concept for clinical trials.
A team of investigators from McLean Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital have successfully reprogrammed a patient's skin cells to replace lost brain cells in Parkinson's disease. The patient has shown significant improvements in daily activities and quality of life after receiving the treatment, which involves transplanting repl...
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys and Loma Linda University Health have demonstrated the promise of applying magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict the efficacy of using human neural stem cells to treat a brain injury. The researchers found that rats with larger penumbra areas surrounding brain injury, which received human neur...
A recent study by University of Zurich researchers has identified a key mechanism controlling brain development and cognitive function. The study found that a lipid metabolism enzyme, fatty acid synthase (FASN), regulates the lifelong activity of brain stem cells, leading to reduced division and learning deficits.
Researchers have developed brain cell models of neurons and astrocytes to better understand the mechanisms of Sanfilippo C syndrome. The studies show that these cell models can reproduce the main features of the disease, allowing for the assessment of potential therapies.
Researchers found that astrocytes lacking the NFIA gene had defective shapes, altered functions, and impaired ability to detect neurotransmitters. This led to defects in learning and memory, providing evidence that astrocytes control neuronal circuits mediating these processes.
Using reprogrammed human skin cells, researchers successfully restored mobility and sensation in stroke-afflicted rats by transplanting them into their brains. The study showed that the transplanted cells formed connections correctly, repairing damaged nerve circuits.
Researchers have discovered that dental pulp stem cells promote neuronal growth in tissue regeneration and cancer progression, while also recruiting facial neurons. The findings open up new paths towards effective therapies against cancer using drugs that modify the communication between neurons and cancer stem cells.
Scientists have developed a new technique that can rapidly print two-dimensional arrays of cells and proteins mimicking various cellular environments. This method harnesses photolithography and programmable DNA, allowing for high-throughput study of cell interactions contributing to tissue function.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have identified vimentin as a crucial component in the protein-management system of neural stem cells. The study found that vimentin brings proteasomes to clumps of damaged proteins, allowing for their efficient clearance and enabling neural stem cells to function properly.
Rosa Uribe's five-year grant will support the assembly of thousands of experiments on neural crest cells to understand their behaviors and characteristics. The research aims to map out various aspects of the early formation of the enteric nervous system, a complex mesh of nerves that regulates digestion and hormone balance.
Astrocytes, a type of cell that supports motor neurons, play an important protective role in the early-stages of sporadic motor neuron disease. When close to motor neurons, these cells help rescue them from misfolded protein TDP-43.
Researchers defined the proteome of neural stem cell niches and compared it to other brain regions to identify key regulators for neurogenesis. The findings suggest that the unique niche environment allows neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain, and may contribute to the stiffness of neural stem cell niches.
A team of scientists led by Prof. Dr. Christian Schachtrup found that fibrinogen inhibits the neuronal differentiation of NSPCs, leading to increased astrocyte formation and reduced scars. By reducing fibrinogen levels, they were able to block astrocyte formation from NSPCs.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a unique pattern of DNA damage that arises in brain cells derived from individuals with macrocephalic form of autism spectrum disorder. The observation helps explain what might go awry in the brain during cell division and development to cause the disorder.
A new injection technique has been developed to deliver neural precursor cells to spinal cord injuries, reducing further trauma and promoting reparative cell propagation. This method may have utility for multiple neurodegenerative conditions such as spinal traumatic injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis.
A new study published in Nature found that widely used cerebral organoids are 'confused' and 'disorganized' compared to the developing human brain. The researchers measured gene expression in over 235,000 cells from 37 different organoids and compared it to normal brain tissue, revealing a lack of development into distinctive cell type...
A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals that Zika virus infection causes damage to astrocytes, leading to oxidative stress, DNA breakage, and permanent mutations. This damage can contribute to brain malformations like microcephaly and potentially other neurological disorders.
Neurogenesis has been shown to have an additional role beyond learning and memory, with adult neural stem cells involved in regeneration. In a study published in JNeurosci, mice were exposed to a toxic substance that damaged the dentate gyrus, but recovered almost fully through neurogenesis.
Researchers developed functional neuromuscular organoids that form complex neuronal networks directing muscle tissue contraction. These organoids overcome limitations in studying human neuromuscular diseases, which are caused by defects in the control of body movement.
Dr. Fred H. Gage has made groundbreaking discoveries in stem cell biology, neuroscience, and human evolution. His work has broad implications for treating diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and mental health disorders.
Scientists at TU Dresden used a method to stimulate neural stem cells, leading to increased neurons and improved cognitive function in old mice. This study suggests that boosting stem cells may be a promising approach to rejuvenate the brain and counteract aging-related cognitive impairments.
A Freiburg research team has cracked the code on how embryonic stem cells determine which cell types to develop into. They found that genes controlling cell differentiation are selectively used and that transcription factors like Eomes and Brachyury play a key role in this process.
A new National Institutes of Health study reveals that uncommitted neural stems cells generally survive La Crosse virus (LACV) infection, while neurons are more susceptible. Interferon therapy successfully protects neurons from LACV-induced death in a cerebral organoid model.
Researchers have successfully transplanted human neurons into a mouse brain, allowing them to study human neural circuit formation and potential diseases. The transplanted cells followed a months-long period of maturation typical for human neurons and were able to function in the mouse neural circuits.
The Phase 2 randomized clinical trial confirmed the safety and well-tolerability of a single transplantation of autologous bone-marrow derived MSC-NTF cells (NurOwn) in participants with ALS. Key efficacy findings included stabilization of ALS disease progression, improvement in ALSFRS-R slope, and changes in CSF neurotrophic factors a...
Researchers develop a new technique to grow miniature organs with functional blood vessels and immune cells, simulating human embryonic tissues. This breakthrough allows for more efficient disease research and potential transplantation of transplanted tissue.
Researchers identified genetic variations in non-coding enhancer regions of specific brain cell types, such as microglia, which may play a role in disease risk. The study provides new insights into how genes are regulated in individual cell types and has significant implications for understanding neurological conditions.
A Rutgers-led team has developed a graphene and gold-based platform that detects genetic material in stem cells, enabling monitoring of their fate. This technology may help resolve key barriers to stem cell therapy for regenerative treatment of neurological disorders.
Researchers at HUG-CELL identified a microRNA inhibitor that reduces tumor size and improves survival in mice with aggressive brain tumors. The synthetic miR-367 inhibitor prevents the regulation of proteins involved in cell growth, leading to an attenuation of tumor aggressiveness.
Researchers found that severe infections in pregnant mothers can impair brain development, leading to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. The study showed immediate and long-lasting effects on neuronal cells, including impaired cortical GABAergic interneuron development.
Researchers at Scripps Research identified cellular workings that stop and restart early brain development in tadpoles. When food is reintroduced after a period of starvation, neural progenitor cells resume dividing and the brain catches up on its growth.
A UC Riverside-led research team discovered that neural crest cells originate from the epiblast of chick embryos before the appearance of a definitive ectoderm or mesoderm. This finding provides new insight into the formation of this unique embryonic stem cell population and has implications for human development and health.
Bioscientists at Rice University have created a system to form all major cell types of ectoderm in a culture dish, allowing for the most comprehensive analysis yet of signaling pathways that drive patterning. The balance between two signaling pathways, BMP and Wnt, is critical, and cells can take more than one road to get there.
Researchers develop novel therapies to reverse or prevent myelin loss in PMD patients, identifying iron toxicity as a key factor and discovering a potential treatment using an FDA-approved agent. Clinical trials are planned to test the effectiveness of this treatment in slowing or halting disease progression.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that only viable neurons survive in the developing nervous system, while immature ones die. This discovery challenges the long-standing neurotrophic theory and could lead to new treatments for neurological diseases like Parkinson's.
Researchers identified NFIA as a central regulator of reactive astrocytes in brain injury. The study showed that NFIA plays different roles depending on the type of injury and region affected, hinting at an extensive reservoir of reactive astrocyte responses.
Scientists have successfully grown miniature brains from stem cells that exhibit functional neural networks and produce brain waves resembling those of preterm babies. The study marks a significant breakthrough in understanding human brain development and may lead to new insights into diseases such as autism, epilepsy, and schizophrenia.
Researchers at UNIGE have discovered that brain progenitor cells can recover their past skills and rejuvenate when transplanted into a young mouse embryo. This finding sheds light on how the brain constructs itself and opens up new possibilities for cortical neuroregeneration.
Researchers found that Id4 controls whether stem cells remain in a state of rest or enter cell division, with increasing age leading to hyperactive signaling pathway inhibiting cell division.
The CIRM grant will enable pre-investigational new drug studies for neural stem cells as a potential treatment for perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, which can cause cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders. The project aims to protect at-risk brain cells and potentially restore balance to the injured region.
Researchers at UCSF and NIH create a new CRISPR technique that allows them to systematically alter gene activity in human neurons, enabling the study of neurological diseases. They discovered that housekeeping genes behave differently in neurons and stem cells, suggesting that these differences may play important roles in disease.
Rutgers University-developed nanotechnology boosts stem cell transplantation research, enabling accurate characterization of human stem cell fates and biomarkers without destruction. This allows further analyses and biomedical applications, addressing a major hurdle in current cell-based therapies.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that increasing brain stiffness as we age causes brain stem cell dysfunction. They developed new materials to study this effect, showing that older stem cells can be rejuvenated into younger, healthier states.
Researchers found that chronic stress leads to autophagic death of adult hippocampal NSCs, causing decline in adult neurogenesis. Deleting Atg7 or SGK3 gene prevents cell death and maintains normal brain functions.