For the first time, human embryonic stem cells have been transformed into nerve cells that helped mice regain the ability to learn and remember.
A study at UW-Madison is the first to show that human stem cells can successfully implant themselves in the brain and then heal neurological deficits, says senior author Su-Chun Zhang, a professor of neuroscience and neurology.
Once inside the mouse brain, the implanted stem cells formed two common, vital types of neurons, which communicate with the chemicals GABA or acetylcholine. “These two neuron types are involved in many kinds of human behavior, emotions, learning, memory, addiction and many other psychiatric issues,” says Zhang.
The human embryonic stem cells were cultured in the lab, using chemicals that are known to promote development into nerve cells — a field that Zhang has helped pioneer for 15 years. The mice were a special strain that do not reject transplants from other species.
After the transplant, the mice scored significantly better on common tests of learning and memory in mice. For example, they were more adept in the water maze test, which challenged them to remember the location of a hidden platform in a pool.
The study began with deliberate damage to a part of the brain that is involved in learning and memory.
Three measures were critical to success, says Zhang: location, timing and purity. “Developing brain cells get their signals from the tissue that they reside in, and the location in the brain we chose directed these cells to form both GABA and cholinergic neurons.”
The initial destruction was in an area called the medial septum, which connects to the hippocampus by GABA and cholinergic neurons. “This circuitry is fundamental to our ability to learn and remember,” says Zhang.
The transplanted cells, however, were placed in the hippocampus — a vital memory center — at the other end of those memory circuits. After the transferred cells were implanted, in response to chemical directions from the brain, they started to specialize and connect to the appropriate cells in the hippocampus.
The process is akin to removing a section of telephone cable, Zhang says. If you can find the correct route, you could wire the replacement from either end.
The Latest Bing News on:
Stem cell transplant
- Penn State Health pausing kidney transplantson May 17, 2024 at 1:41 pm
Other transplant programs, such as heart, stem cell, and bone marrow transplants, are operating as usual. There are 98 patients on the hospital’s kidney transplant list. Penn State Health says their ...
- Half-matched family donors offer best outcomes for Hispanic patients undergoing bone marrow transplants: Studyon May 15, 2024 at 10:40 am
For adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer that originates in the bone marrow, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (more commonly known as a bone marrow transplant) may be ...
- Half-matched family donors offer best outcomes for Hispanic patients undergoing bone marrow transplantson May 14, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Compared to patients who received a bone marrow transplant from an identically matched registered donor, half-identical relative transplant recipients were more than twice as likely to avoid both ...
- Sidra Medicine to establish Qatar's first-ever Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Programon May 14, 2024 at 9:07 am
Sidra Medicine, a QF entity, announced the upcoming establishment of the first-ever pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) program in Qatar, in partnership with one ...
- Brookfield cancer patient gets ‘a second chance on life’ with stem cells from a Canadian athleteon May 14, 2024 at 2:00 am
Brookfield's Tom Mix received a bone marrow transplant at Yale New Haven with stem cells donated by Alex Pace, a professional lacrosse player from Ontario.
- Show care to children undergoing stem cell transplantson May 12, 2024 at 10:00 pm
The contents of the care packs are designed to occupy and bring comfort to patients while they are isolated before and after the procedure.
- 12-year-old spreads awareness on stem donation after receiving gift of lifeon May 9, 2024 at 10:32 am
BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. WELL, LOCAL FAMILY IS CELEBRATING A MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH AFTER UNDERGOING A SUCCESSFUL PEDIATRIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT. THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH STEM DONATIONS ...
- 12-year-old spreads awareness on stem donation after receiving gift of lifeon May 9, 2024 at 9:33 am
After years of searching for solutions, the 12-year-old's doctors were able to find a cure by a stem therapy and bone marrow transplant.
- As Ozzy Osbourne announces stem cell therapy, experts urge caution, highlight riskson May 9, 2024 at 2:00 am
As rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has turned to stem cell therapy, some experts caution that the treatment is not for everyone. A doctor weighed in on the potential risks.
- Exploring the Frailty Factor in Stem Cell Transplant Hospitalizationon May 7, 2024 at 10:00 am
In an interview with Targeted Oncology, Kayla Giannetti, MSN, APRN-CNP, discussed the background of the study, along with its findings and implications for community oncologists.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Stem cell transplant
[google_news title=”” keyword=”stem cell transplant” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”] [/vc_column_text]The Latest Bing News on:
Regaining the ability to learn and remember
- A dietitian shares the No. 1 food to add to your diet to boost your brain healthon May 17, 2024 at 1:12 pm
Studies have shown that eating just one seafood meal per week has been linked with a lowered risk of both Alzheimer's and dementia. Our brains are mostly made up of omega-3 fatty acids called EPA and ...
- Cramming for an exam isn’t the best way to learn – but if you have to do it, here’s howon May 17, 2024 at 5:04 am
If you are in this position, you may find yourself trying to memorise information that you first learned a long time ago and have completely forgotten – or that you didn’t actually learn effectively ...
- The 6 best credit cards for low-income earnerson May 16, 2024 at 7:48 am
Plus, the card offers the ability to transition to an unsecured card starting seven months from account opening. [ Jump to more details ] Who's this for? The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is great for ...
- I'm a college athlete whose heart stopped during practice. Doctors thought I'd need a nursing home, but I'm already back on the field.on May 16, 2024 at 5:49 am
A college athlete's heart stopped during practice. She was told she may need a nursing home, but she's already playing again nine months later.
- I'm a New Mom. Here's How I'm Getting Fit in This Postpartum Realityon May 15, 2024 at 5:01 am
This is what I learned from experts and experimenting with fitness apps and what I hope you take away from this experience.
- Little Kitty, Big City: How to Make Humans Tripon May 10, 2024 at 1:50 pm
To get humans to trip in Little Kitty, Big City, players have to use the Swipe ability while facing their feet. However, this must be done while they are walking; otherwise, they will only become ...
- A stress-free guide to credit cards: How to use them responsiblyon May 10, 2024 at 8:20 am
How to read this guide: Follow along from start to finish, or use the menu to find the section(s) you want to learn more about ... card for the first time or rebuilding your credit history.
- Expert reveals mystifying reason a third of dementia patients regain 'lost' memories in days before deathon May 7, 2024 at 12:42 pm
The phenomenon, called terminal lucidity, sees the dementia patient sudden able to remember people’s names ... suggests that the brain maintains some ability to form new neural connections ...
- Break the cycle of debt: Here’s how to get out of credit card debt, even during financial hardshipson May 6, 2024 at 12:02 pm
BestCards offers strategies to help consumers see their way through credit card debt during financial hardships.
- A Psychologist Offers 2 Ways To Navigate The ‘Unemployment Blues’on May 1, 2024 at 1:15 pm
Being self-compassionate about job loss involves recognizing that this is a common human experience. You should offer yourself the same kindness and non-judgmental support you would to a friend in a ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Regaining the ability to learn and remember
[google_news title=”” keyword=”regaining the ability to learn and remember” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]