Neuroscience
From an NIH press release:
Neurons Grown from Embryonic Stem Cells Restore Function in Paralyzed Rats
For the first time, researchers have enticed transplants of embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons in the spinal cord to connect with muscles and partially restore function in paralyzed animals. The study suggests that similar techniques may be useful for treating such disorders as spinal cord injury, transverse myelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and spinal muscular atrophy. The study was funded in part by the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
The researchers, led by Douglas Kerr, M.D., Ph.D., of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, used a combination of transplanted motor neurons, chemicals capable of overcoming signals that inhibit axon growth, and a nerve growth factor to attract axons to muscles. The report is published in the July 2006 issue of Annals of Neurology.
"This work is a remarkable advance that can help us understand how stem cells might be used to treat injuries and disease and begin to fulfill their great promise. The successful demonstration of functional restoration is proof of the principle and an important step forward. We must remember, however, that we still have a great distance to go," says Elias A. Zerhouni, Director of the National Institutes of Health.
“This study provides a 'recipe' for using stem cells to reconnect the nervous system,” says Dr. Kerr. "It raises the notion that we can eventually achieve this in humans, although we have a long way to go."
[ ... Read the full release ... ]
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Anthony H. Risser | neuroscience | neuropsychology | brain
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Neuroscience
Embryonic Stem-Cell Research
From an NIH press release:
Neurons Grown from Embryonic Stem Cells Restore Function in Paralyzed Rats
For the first time, researchers have enticed transplants of embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons in the spinal cord to connect with muscles and partially restore function in paralyzed animals. The study suggests that similar techniques may be useful for treating such disorders as spinal cord injury, transverse myelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and spinal muscular atrophy. The study was funded in part by the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
The researchers, led by Douglas Kerr, M.D., Ph.D., of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, used a combination of transplanted motor neurons, chemicals capable of overcoming signals that inhibit axon growth, and a nerve growth factor to attract axons to muscles. The report is published in the July 2006 issue of Annals of Neurology.
"This work is a remarkable advance that can help us understand how stem cells might be used to treat injuries and disease and begin to fulfill their great promise. The successful demonstration of functional restoration is proof of the principle and an important step forward. We must remember, however, that we still have a great distance to go," says Elias A. Zerhouni, Director of the National Institutes of Health.
“This study provides a 'recipe' for using stem cells to reconnect the nervous system,” says Dr. Kerr. "It raises the notion that we can eventually achieve this in humans, although we have a long way to go."
[ ... Read the full release ... ]
-
Anthony H. Risser | neuroscience | neuropsychology | brain
- Photoreceptors From Embryonic Stem Cells
From The Guardian:Embryonic stem cells could help restore sight to blind Photoreceptors grown from embryonic stem cells have been successfully implanted in the retinas of blind mice Alok Jha, Science Correspondent The Guardian Sunday 21 July 2013 18.00...
- Parkinson Disease
From an NIH press release on 04 July 2006: Dopamine Drug Leads to New Neurons and Recovery of Function in Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease In preliminary results, researchers have shown that a drug which mimics the effects of...
- Obituary: Dr. Ira Black
From The Philadelphia Inquirer: Neuroscientist Ira Black, stem-cell expert The Philadelphia Inquirer 11 January 2006 link Associated Press NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - Ira Black, 64, an internationally recognized clinical neuroscientist and a founding director...
- Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: Pure Nerve Stem Cells
From the BBC:Scientists make nerve stem cells The world's first pure nerve stem cells made from human embryonic stem cells has been created by scientists at the University of Edinburgh. Tuesday, 16 August 2005, 07:15 GMT 08:15 UK It...
- Olfactory Bulb Stem Cell Transplants And Als
A number of news reports are beginning to be published from presentations at Neuroscience 2004, the ongoing conference of the Society for Neuroscience. Here is one press release from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions concerning a presentation about amyotrophic...