And maybe your own neurons…
Biopsy samples of brain tissue can be used
to grow the patient's own brain cells
LifeSciencesToday based on the materials of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology:
Small Brain Biopsies Can Be Used to Grow Patient's Own Brain CellsScientists have come close to the possibility of growing therapeutic brain cells in the laboratory, which can be reintegrated into the brains of patients for the treatment of a wide range of neurological diseases.
According to a new study published in The FASEB Journal (Xu et al., Neurotrophic factor expression in expandable cell populations from brain samples in living patients with Parkinson's disease), brain cells grown from small biopsy samples can be used to produce a large number of new personalized cells that are not only healthy, but also have the ability to protect the brain from future injuries, toxins and diseases.
Scientists hope that eventually these cells can be reprogrammed into specific types necessary for the treatment of specific diseases, or they can release the substances they produce with therapeutic properties directly into the brain, removing the problem of overcoming the blood-brain barrier.
"This work shows what exceptional opportunities in the field of biomedical research the integration of basic science and clinical medicine opens up," says study participant Matthew Hebb, MD, PhD, FRCSC, from the University of Western Ontario (University of Western Ontario), Canada. "We hope that the results of our work will provide a basis for further promotion of personalized cellular methods for the treatment of the most severe and incurable neurological diseases today."
The study was conducted on patients with Parkinson's disease who were prescribed deep brain stimulation – a commonly used surgical procedure consisting of implanting electrodes into the brain. Before implantation, small pieces of tissue were taken from the surface of the patients' brains. Their cultivation gave scientists millions of cells, which were then subjected to genetic analysis. The cells differed from each other, but demonstrated the ability to regenerate and the properties of one of the main classes of brain cells – glia. They expressed a wide range of powerful natural protective substances called neurotrophic factors, including cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor.
"With a very small amount of brain tissue, we will one day be able to do a lot," Gerald Weissmann, MD, editor–in-chief of The FASEB Journal, commented on the success of scientists. "For centuries, effective and safe brain treatment has remained an unattainable goal. This achievement opens the door not only to new methods of treating a variety of brain diseases, but also to new ways of delivering therapeutic drugs."
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru02.10.2013