In the past decade, numerous attempts focusing on neuroprotective strategies have been made to rescue neurons in the ischemic brain. Within few hours of an ischemic stroke event, acute injuries are often irreversible. The future point will be focused on how the brain tissues could be repaired. Recently, transplantation of embryonic and adult stem cells has provided new hope to stroke survivors.

The essential players in this rescue mission, stem cells, are characterized by the ability to renew themselves through mitotic cell division and differentiate into a diverse range of specialized cell types. Stem cells can now be grown and transformed into specialized cells with characteristics consistent with cells of various tissues such as muscles or nerves through cell culture.

Six years ago, scientists showed that stem cells had promise in treating strokes. They tracked the body’s own stem cells during brain repair; learned how to target stroke-damaged regions… This year, a new experience is carried in Stanford University on ten stroke-crippled rats with neurons grown from human embryonic stem cells. Scientists observed that the new neurons gathered in damaged brain regions, connecting to healthy cells and to each other. Within weeks the rats could again control their weakened legs.

Though the results are preliminary, it offers a glimmer of hope to millions of people left brain-damaged or crippled by strokes. However, before that can happen, scientists need to refine their methods of encouraging stem cells — either embryonic, as in this study, or adult — to reliably form neurons that don’t turn cancerous. This will still take many years.

Sources:
Stem Cells Journal
PLoS One