Neural Stem Cell Implants May Be Key to Treating Epilepsy

A group of neurosurgeons at the University of Florida College of Medicine (Gainesville, FL) has revealed promising results for the treatment of brain-related diseases like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. Their study was done in newborn mice, which were injected with stem cells that had been preserved for more than 20 years. Once injected, the cells developed into fully functioning neurons, demonstrating that the transplanted cells communicate with existing neurons in the host brain.

The neurons survived for 8 weeks, developing into a specific type of neuron called interneurons, which are critical targets for treating certain neurological diseases. After the cells became integrated within the host, the researchers made detailed recordings of the observed activity within the mouse brains and noted the different kinds of neurons that evolved from the stem cells. Many of the cells developed into inhibitory neurons. For epilepsy, said the study’s lead author Steven N. Roper, MD (Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville), these cells could have the effect of pacifying the hyperexcitation in certain regions of the brain that leads to seizures. Fifteen percent of the cells instead became excitatory neurons. The researchers proposed that these cells could prove useful for treating other neurological conditions such as stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Brent Reynolds, PhD, a professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, felt that this study could propel research on treatments for neurological disorders forward.  Other groups had successfully injected human neural stem cells into models previously, but the finding that these cells can interact with existing neurons and become active is groundbreaking. Dr. Roper believes that, through harnessing this potential, one could theoretically control the type of activity occurring in target areas of the brain.

There were some limitations to the study, most notably that only 1% of the transplanted cells actually survived and that the study was done in mouse models without immune systems to prevent rejection of the cells. However, the researchers believe that the survival rate of the transplanted cells can be improved as they move on to other models (bit.ly/1HLm741). —Sean McGuire