Stem cells in brain plasticity and repair.
Findings over the past decade demonstrating persistent neurogenesis in the adult brain have overturned dogma, provoked reevaluation of cellular plasticity in the mature brain and raised hopes for novel approaches to brain repair. Recent discoveries reveal that neurogenesis is regulated by environmental stimuli and can be responsive to brain injury. This cellular plasticity may indicate a possible endogenous repair program. By understanding the mechanisms involved, it may be possible to harness this plasticity to recruit endogenous neural stem cells or to graft stem cells to achieve structural brain repair.
Peterson
Daniel A
DA
Neural Repair and Neurogenesis Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, The Chicago Medical School, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA. daniel.peterson@finchcms.edu
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D019737:Transplants