Stromal cells may renew brain tissue

SAPPORO, Japan, March 15 (UPI) -- Japanese scientists say they've determined how bone marrow stromal cells can potentially regenerate brain tissue in animals.

"Our study showed that cell transplantation therapy may improve brain receptor function in patients who suffered from cerebral stroke, improving their neurological symptoms," said Dr. Satoshi Kuroda of the department of neurosurgery at Hokkaido University Medical School in Sapporo, Japan.

"How the transplanted bone marrow stromal cells restore the lost neurologic function is not clear," he added.

What researchers do know is that cells found in an adult's bone marrow -- stromal cells -- may provide a safe, ethical source for replacing brain cells lost to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

The authors emphasized, "it is essential to clarify the underlying mechanism before undertaking clinical trials with stem cell-based approaches for patients with cerebral stoke."

The study -- "Improved Expression of Aminobutyric Acid Receptor in Mice With Cerebral Infarct and Transplanted Bone Marrow Stromal Cells: An Autoradiographic and Histologic Analysis." -- appears in the March issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.