by Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School, in collaboration with other institutions, have developed new techniques to cultivate brain cells from stem cells. These groundbreaking methods offer potential treatments for neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, ischemic stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. The research, conducted under the newly established GK Goh Center for Neuroscience at Duke-NUS, provides hope for patients suffering from these debilitating neurological disorders.
Led by Professor Zhang Suchun, the GK Goh Center aims to investigate the impact of aging on the brain. One of the research projects published in Advanced Science focuses on growing neurons from stem cells for transplantation into stroke patients. The team cultured these cells in a combination of Fibrinogen, a protein aiding blood clotting, and Maraviroc, a drug used to treat infection. This mixture protected the cells from inflammation when transplanted into the inflamed environment of a brain affected by ischemic stroke.
In preclinical trials, the transplanted cells not only survived but matured into the targeted neuron type and repaired the damaged brain tissue over the course of 30 days. Previously, transplanted cells had poor survival rates due to inflammation in the ischemic cavity of the brain. Ischemic stroke, caused by a sudden reduction in blood supply to the brain, is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. With stroke survivors often suffering from paralysis and cognitive impairment, the need for effective therapies is urgent.
According to Dr. Wang Zhifu, lead author of the study, stem cell-based approaches show promise in protecting injured neurons and replacing lost ones. The transplantation method has demonstrated that cultivated cells can mature into functional neurons, making this technique valuable in conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson’s disease. The researchers have licensed this method and are in the process of patent application, with successful results in other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease.
For instance, previous studies conducted by Professor Zhang and collaborators utilized this innovative method to produce dopamine neurons, which degenerate with Parkinson’s disease. These healthy neurons were transplanted into the brains of patients, where they regenerated damaged tissue. The team is currently seeking approval from U.S. regulators to conduct human safety clinical trials.
The GK Goh Center has also successfully produced norepinephrine neurons, specialized nerve cells located in the brainstem, using the same technology. These neurons degenerate in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, often preceding symptom onset by up to 10 years. Cultivating these cells enables scientists to understand why their vulnerability leads to disease and study the degeneration process. The findings were published in Nature Biotechnology.
The potential of this novel technology is vast. Professor Zhang and his team have cultivated various types of functioning neurons, including those found in the brain, eye, and spinal cord. Additionally, they have collected a wide range of biological samples to decode the aging process of the brain, a phenomenon that is currently not well understood. The GK Goh Center’s research has the potential to test drugs and develop new therapies for incurable brain conditions.
Chairman Emeritus of the international executive board of Temasek Foundation International, Mr. GK Goh, expressed confidence in the center’s ability to provide innovative treatments to improve the quality of life for individuals and support the nation’s efforts on healthier aging. Professor Thomas Coffman, Dean of Duke-NUS, highlighted the limitless potential of this technology, both in terms of treating brain diseases and understanding the physiological aging process of the brain.
The groundbreaking research conducted at the GK Goh Center offers promising insights into the cultivation of brain cells for the treatment and study of neurological diseases. These innovative methods provide hope for patients suffering from conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, ischemic stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. With further development and clinical trials, these techniques have the potential to revolutionize the field of neuroscience and improve the lives of individuals affected by these devastating conditions.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
