Korean scientists from Yonsei University discovered a new molecule that aids in the creation of new nerve cells. Creating new nerve cells has been tricky, because current methods rely on either embryonic stem cells or neural stem cells obtained from the brain.
This new discovery, to be published in the August 8th edition of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, shows that a small molecule -- neurodazine -- can induce the generation of new nerve cells from skeletal muscle fibers, which are easier to obtain in humans. (Muscle biopsy or drilling into your brain? You decide.)
Initially done on mice cells, the researchers also successfully tested neurodazine on human skeletal muscle fibers.
The only downside is that while the cells "look" like nerve cells, based on certain molecular markers, the report doesn't mention any studies testing the function of these induced-nerve cells in animal models. These tests will be required before they can be used in humans, so keep an eye out for future announcements.
Nerve cells have obvious applications for many neurological disorders, including stroke, spinal cord injury, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Given our aging population, where neurological disorders are most prevalent, the need for something like this is evident.
Toward an alternative to stem cells for treating chronic brain diseases [press release]
Image: NIH
