Researchers have made a forward leap into cell therapy to enhance memory. It is also discovered that the neurons that are transplanted move towards the injury. It then combines with the injured brain cells and forms a new signal connection.
The brain of an adult mammal can adapt. However, the ability to generate new brain cells after an injury is minimal. The transportation of immature cells (neurons) can establish the cortical signal.
The traumatic brain damage/ injury (TBI) implies to the mechanical injury. Also, different factors are involved in the damage like the microbial environment which is not suitable for the development of new neurons.
During an injury of the brain, neurons that get transported have less chance to sustain. They usually remain un-differentiated and does not leave the grafted site. Patients who suffer from a brain injury may face a lifelong loss in memory.
The study found by UC Irvine researchers, embryonic cells can create a neuron-neuron connection. The scientists focused on the brain of a mouse with traumatic head damage. They found that the transported brain cells move to the injured area.
The new connection between the existing brain cells and the newly grafted cells got established. Scientists mostly emphasis the hippocampus area which is responsible for learning and retains memory.
This new study gets published in Nature Communication. The study found that in a month’s duration after the treatment, mice showed improvement in terms of memory. It was also seen that the transplanted brain cells helped mice prevent having epilepsy.
Robert Hunt who is an assistant professor of anatomy and neurobiology at the University of California said that inhibitory neurons are critically involved in memory. These neurons are vulnerable to not survive after the injury. And, they can not prevent their death. So it’s interesting to find an alternative treatment.