Conversion of Glial Cells into Neurons as an Approach to Regeneration in the Brain

The authors of today's research report on success in use of a gene therapy to convert glial cells into neurons in a living mouse brain, and thereby improve the normally limited recovery that takes place following brain injury, such as that caused by a stroke. A number of research groups are investigating this class of approach to enhance regeneration in the brain, an organ that has little capacity to repair itself. The capacity that does exist is generated by neural stem cells that, arguably, continue to produce new neurons at some pace throughout life. As for all stem cell populations, activity declines with age, however. An increased supply of new neurons, provided that they are capable of correctly maturing and integrating into neural circuits, should prove beneficial. Interestingly, increasing the supply of neurons is not just relevant to regeneration in the brain. Functions such as memory rely on changes in neural networks, and in turn on a supply of new neurons. It is possible that increasing the pace at which new neurons emerge could improve cognitive function even in younger people. We are a long way removed from that sort of application of new biotechnology, however - the focus today is very much on addressing age-related conditions. Gene therapy helps functional recovery after stroke Researchers have pioneered a new approach to regenerate functional neurons using glial cells, a group of cells surrounding every single neuron in the brain that p...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs