HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Neurons grown from embryonic stem cells restore function in paralyzed rats

[Note to all reporters/editors/broadcasters: The Annals of Neurology has lifted the embargo for an article published in its online edition of June 26 by Douglas Kerr and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins. The following release is a summary of that article.]

For the first time, researchers have enticed transplants of embryonic stem cell-derived motor neurons in the spinal cord to connect with muscles and partially restore function in paralyzed animals. The study suggests that similar techniques may be useful for treating such disorders as spinal cord injury, transverse myelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and spinal muscular atrophy. The study was funded in part by the NIH's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

The researchers, led by Douglas Kerr, M.D., Ph.D., of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, used a combination of transplanted motor neurons, chemicals capable of overcoming signals that inhibit axon growth, and a nerve growth factor to attract axons to muscles. The report is published in the July 2006 issue of Annals of Neurology.*

"This work is a remarkable advance that can help us understand how stem cells might be used to treat injuries and disease and begin to fulfill their great promise. The successful demonstration of functional restoration is proof of the principle and an important step forward. We must remember, however, that we still have a great distance to go," says Elias A. Zerhouni, Director of the National Institutes of Health.

"This study provides a 'recipe' for using stem cells to reconnect the nervous system," says Dr. Kerr. "It raises the notion that we can eventually achieve this in humans, although we have a long way to go."

In the study, Dr. Kerr and his colleagues cultured embryonic stem cells from mice with chemicals that caused them to differentiate into motor neurons. Just before transplantation, they added three nerve growth factors to the
'"/>

Contact: Natalie Frazin or Paul Girolami
301-496-5924
NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
20-Jun-2006


Page: 1 2 3 4

Related biology news :

1. Neurons for numerosity: Parietal neurons sum up individual items in a group
2. Neurons find their place in the developing nervous system with the help of a sticky molecule
3. New slant on vision research: Neurons sensitive to viewing angle
4. Insulin grown in plants relieves diabetes in mice; UCF study holds promise for humans
5. Scientists map air pollution using corn grown in US fields
6. UCF, NIH study: Effective, safe anthrax vaccine can be grown in tobacco plants
7. UCLA scientists produce functioning neurons from human embryonic stem cells
8. Not all embryonic stem cell lines are created equal
9. Discredited Korean embryonic stem cells true origins revealed
10. Researchers discover human embryonic stem cells are the ultimate perpetual fuel cell
11. Study: Donated embryos could result in more than 2,000 new embryonic stem cell lines

Post Your Comments:
(Date:6/14/2013)... the only ones tending their gardens. , At the ... ants cultivate thriving communities of fungi and bacteria using ... are a source of food and shelter for the ... biofuel production. , "We are interested in the whole ... goes in and is converted to energy for the ...
(Date:6/14/2013)... By identifying a protein that acts as a ... have solved the mystery of why some infants are ... and major deformities of the skin and limbs, while ... little or no sign of the illness, called EEC. ... It is rare in its full-blown form, although individual ...
(Date:6/14/2013)... Data presented at EULAR 2013, the Annual Congress of ... biomarkers could significantly improve diagnosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ... and UH-RA.21 were investigated; as a group they ... both early and seronegative disease, with 36% of ... patients testing positive. , RA is a chronic ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Researchers unearth bioenergy potential in leaf-cutter ant communities 2Researchers unearth bioenergy potential in leaf-cutter ant communities 3CSHL geneticists solve mystery of EEC Syndrome's variable severity in children 2CSHL geneticists solve mystery of EEC Syndrome's variable severity in children 3
(Date:6/17/2013)... BOSTON , June 17, 2013 ... $127 billion by 2018, accounting for nearly 16 percent of ... Orphan Drug Report 2013 from Evaluate .   ... to this growing segment of the pharmaceutical industry, Evaluate has ... in-depth, fact-based orphan drug analysis with data fields for integrated ...
(Date:6/17/2013)... 2013 With the huge success of CMO ... Chief Medical Officer Summit for Emerging Life Science Companies on ... in San Francisco on November 4-5, 2013 at the Marines ... West Coast Chief Medical Officers at biotechs have their own ... Director of MPM Capital. Valerie Bowling, Executive Director of The ...
(Date:6/17/2013)... Z Trim Holdings, Inc. (OTC Markets: ... ingredients to a variety of industries, today announced ... application at this year,s annual Institute of Food ... , July 13-16. The Company will demonstrate how ... in meat products thereby helping manufacturers lower costs ...
(Date:6/17/2013)... , June 17, 2013 ... ) has announced the addition of the ... - by Formulations [Liposomes, Microspheres, & Nanoparticles], ... Pen, Needle Free & Auto Injectors] & ... their offering. ,      (Logo: ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Evaluate Launches Enhanced Orphan Drug Intelligence 2Evaluate Launches Enhanced Orphan Drug Intelligence 3Chief Medical Officer Summit for Biotechs Goes West 2Chief Medical Officer Summit for Biotechs Goes West 3Z Trim to Spotlight New Meat Applications at IFT 2013 in Chicago 2Z Trim to Spotlight New Meat Applications at IFT 2013 in Chicago 3North America Injectable Drug Delivery Market - by Formulations, Devices & Therapeutics- Forecasts to 2017 2North America Injectable Drug Delivery Market - by Formulations, Devices & Therapeutics- Forecasts to 2017 3
Cached News: