Scientists have recently discovered that the human brain is able to regenerate brain cells after a stroke. This regeneration involves astrocytes which are the most common cells in the human brain.
In previous discoveries, astrocytes (collectively known as astroglia) have been known to play an important role in the scarring and repair process in the tissues of the brain and the spinal column after an injury. This new study, however, establishes that these type of cells go beyond scarring the scarring process.
Using lab mice that were subject to induced stroke, scientists have uncovered that a signalling mechanism which regulates the formation of astrocytes to nerve cells such that the conversion is suppressed in the absence of trauma or injury.
Following a stroke or in cases where there is a need to regenerate brain and spinal column cells the signalling mechanism is the one that is suppressed and immature nerve cells start forming from astrocytes.
This discovery, gives hope not only to patients with stroke but also to those who suffer injury that affects the central nervous system. The reason for this lies in the discovery that the suppression of the said signalling mechanism that regulates the nerve cell formation is not solely brought on by an incidence of stroke.
After blocking the signalling mechanism in mice that were not subjected to induced-stroke, scientist found the same formation of new nerve cells from astrocytes. This discovery extends the hope even to patients who have other brain diseases or those who have suffered non-stroke related trauma.
To top all these, scientists have been able to establish that the nerve cells that formed from astrocytes are able to turn to mature nerve cells thereby taking the repair and regeneration further. This altogether gives greater hope to patients with CNS problems.
Through this discovery patients who suffer neuro-degenerative disease such as Parkinson's and Huntington's see hope for a cure and a better lifestyle.