Stem Cells and The Nervous System
- Few
years ago, it was a common belief that neurons in the adult human brain and
spinal cord could not be regenerated.
- Stem
Cells bring new strategies for developing replacement neurons and crucial
neural support cells called astrocytes and olygodendrocytes.
- Early
research shows that stem cells can improve movement in paralyzed mice.
- Fetal
tissue transplants in patients with Parkinson’s disease showed encouraging
(yet inconsistent) benefits to patients.
- It
is thought that Parkinson’s disease may be the first disease to be treated
using stem cell transplantation.
Mugur Roz