Formerly considered impracticable, neuron transplants are now possible. If it is possible to repair damaged brain tissue, the timing of transplantation should not be left to chance. The timing weighs in the effectiveness of the intervention according to a study published in the Journal of neurosciences. The Inserm team of researchers led by Afsaneh Gaillard (Inserm Unit 1084, Laboratory for Experimental and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Poitiers) reveals that a transplant is more “viable” if it is performed one week after the injury. The vascularity of the graft is greater than when the transplantation takes place immediately after the trauma. The number of surviving neurons is much greater, and the repair surface area of the tissue is also greater. This timing facilitates the process of “self-repair” since the graft itself then contributes to this vascularization. Therefore, functional recovery, measured by behavioral tests, is much more complete, the study points out.
Sufficient time to prepare neurons for transplantation
For ten years or so, the French team has proven that a transplantation of immature neurons of the same nature as the tissue to be repaired could work. The new transplanted cells were able to survive, to adapt to their environment while being functional. Inserm researchers therefore now know a little more about the conditions for successful grafts.
These results are encouraging for patients who have suffered major injuries to the central nervous system (for example after an accident) in the medium term: “The existence of a delay before the transplant would give time to prepare the neurons necessary for transplantation, whether from fetal cells or reprogrammed somatic cells of the patient “, explains Afsaneh Gaillard in a Inserm press release.
Neuron transplantation: transplantation is much more efficient if it is performed one week after the injury https://t.co/wadxKbgvjupic.twitter.com/MEhuPTlloC
– Inserm (@Inserm) February 21, 2017
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