LONDON, March 9 (UPI) -- British medical scientists say they've created a stem cell technology that can replace stroke-damaged brain tissue.
The researchers led by Dr. Mike Modo of King's College London said that by inserting tiny scaffolding with stem cells attached, it's possible to fill a hole left by stroke damage with new brain tissue within 7 days of treatment. The work performed on lab rats was carried out in collaboration with the University of Nottingham.
Modo said previous similar experiments had some success, but in the damaged area there was no structural support for the stem cells and so they tended to migrate into the surrounding healthy tissues.
"We would expect to see a much better improvement in the outcome after a stroke if we can fully replace the lost brain tissue, and that is what we have been able to do with our technique," said Modo.
Using particles of a biodegradable polymer called PLGA loaded with neural stem cells, the team filled stroke cavities with stem cells on a ready-made support structure.
"This works really well because the stem cell-loaded PLGA particles can be injected through a very fine needle and then adopt the precise shape of the cavity," said Moto. "In this process the cells fill the cavity and can make connections with other cells, which helps to establish the tissue."
The research appears in the journal Biomaterials.
