Scaffolding For Brain Regeneration

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From EurekAlert!: "Inserting tiny scaffolding into the brain could dramatically reduce damage caused by strokes ... combining scaffold microparticles with neural stem cells (NSCs) could regenerate lost brain tissue. Strokes cause temporary loss of blood supply to the brain which results in areas of brain tissue dying - causing loss of bodily functions such as speech and movement. ... while NSC transplantation has been proven to improve functional outcomes in rats with stroke damage little reduction in lesion volume has been observed. ... Working with rats [researchers] are developing cell-scaffold combinations that could be injected into the brain to provide a framework inside the cavities caused by stroke so that the cells are held there until they can work their way to connect with surrounding healthy tissue. ... The ultimate aim is to establish if this approach can provide a more efficient and effective repair process in stroke."

Link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-04/babs-saw040808.php