Stem Cells and Brains

Stem Cells and Brains

According to a UPI story reprinted in Science Daily, researchers in Australia have found that progenitor cells in mouse brains can generate new brain cells in the hippocampus area. These are not stem cells, but it does provide evidence that nervous tissue can be regenerated, which is very important for all stem cell research in the areas of paralysis, dementia, and other neurological issues.

In an unrelated study, researchers at Tulane University implanted human bone marrow stem cells into mouse brains, and that stimulated the creation of differentiated neural cells. The human cells were implanted into the hippocampus, and within seven days there were many new neural cells. After 30 days, the new neural cells were taking on the characteristics of specialized brain cells. The research, which appears in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is reported on Xinhua, a Chinese newspaper; I haven’t been able to find a press release or other source.