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| Stem cell derived interneuons integrated into an epileptic mice's brain. |
Scientists at McLean Hospital and Harvard Stem Cell Institute have developed a new strategic approach in helping patients who suffer from epileptic seizures. Associate Neurobiologist Dr. Sangmi Chung successfully transplanted human neurons derived from embryonic stem cells into the brains of mice with epilepsy. The neurons had a special seizure-inhibiting factor. Once the neurons were transplanted into the mice, "The transplanted neurons begin to receive excitatory input from host neurons and in turn generate inhibitory responses that reverse the electrical hyperactivity that cause seizures;" explained Dr. Chung. Half of the mice in the study did not show any signs of seizure activity. The other half of the mice studied showed a diminished amount of seizure frequency.
Before testing on humans, further studies on primate must be conducted. However, the research done so far is very promising. Embryonic stem cells can be differentiated into many other cell types, even when they become neurons. For this reason, the neurons must first need to be purified before entering a human’s brain to ensure that only the interneurons (seizure-inhibiting) are transplanted. This is simply as a precaution to guarantee that cells transplanted into humans are safe without any risk of causing harm to the patient. The researchers are currently working on a method to extract only interneurons from their derived stem-cell neurons.
Approximately 65 million people suffer from epilepsy. Of those, many receive anti-seizure medication. However, approximately 33% of epileptic patients cannot reap the benefits from anti-seizure medication. The medication fails to decrease the seizure activity in their brain. Those who can’t take medication have the option of having the seizure-causing area of their brain removed. It is believed that people with epilepsy have minuscule amounts of interneurons in their brains. This new research takes a step forward for those patients who can’t take anti-seizure medication. It is definitely a new therapy that hopefully makes progress in the years to come.
Article Related: Interneurons - http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/interneurons-definition-function-quiz.html
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