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Neural stem cells: progression of basic research and perspective for clinical application.
1Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan. hidokano@sc.itc.keio.ac.jp
The Keio Journal of Medicine
|October 10, 2002
Summary
Central nervous system (CNS) regeneration was once thought impossible. However, adult neural stem cells (NSCs) offer hope for repairing damaged CNS tissue through neurogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Historically, the central nervous system (CNS) was believed incapable of functional regeneration after injury.
- This belief stemmed from early 20th-century observations suggesting limited growth potential in the mature mammalian nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in CNS stem cell biology.
- To discuss strategies for therapeutic applications of neural stem cells (NSCs) in CNS repair.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culturing of pluripotent, self-renewing neural stem cells (NSCs) from embryonic and adult mammalian brains.
- Review of current research on neurogenesis in adult mammalian CNS regions.
Main Results:
- Neurogenesis persists in specific adult brain regions, including the olfactory bulb, hippocampus, and dentate gyrus.
- Recent techniques enable the isolation and expansion of neural stem cells (NSCs).
Conclusions:
- Adult neural stem cells (NSCs) present a promising avenue for CNS regeneration and reconstruction therapies.
- Ongoing research into stem cell biology is crucial for developing effective treatments for CNS damage.