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Some chronic MS lesions show signs of neural regeneration
Submitted by hollie on Mon, 2008-08-11 10:29.
Bruce Trapp and his colleagues have published an interesting pathology study of MS brain tissue. (I get very excited every time an MS brain tissue study comes out -- I wish there were more!) In this study, the research team investigated autopsy samples of subcortical lesions (white matter MS lesions located just within the cerebral cortex). Subcortical white matter contains a type of neurons called interneurons -- so-called because they connect to other neurons -- and while they are numerous, they are not as densely packed as neurons in the gray matter are, which makes them easier to study. The scientists analyzed active and chronic subcortical lesions from nine MS subjects, looking for the presence of interneurons.
In the seven active lesions studied, there were no or very few neurons left. The same was true in 44 of the 59 chronic lesions studied. However, the other 15 chronic lesions had an increased number of neurons compared to the neighboring non-lesion areas. Synapses could be seen extending from these neurons, which is appropriate for subcortical white matter neurons. There was also a population of immature neural precursor cells in these lesions. An increased number of precursor cells was found in the subventricular zone bordering demyelinated areas, implying that this region may have been the source of the newly generated interneurons. Finally, these 15 chronic lesions also contained a certain type of activated microglia that was not found in the other lesions.
The findings from this study indicate that unmyelinated neurons like interneurons are destroyed in MS, but in some cases they can be replaced, most likely by migrating precursor cells. Why this happens in some lesions but not others is not known, but perhaps other cells like microglia present in the lesions play a role in this neurogenesis. At any rate, signs of regeneration are encouraging, and hopefully these results can eventually lead to strategies to encourage rebuilding of damaged tissue.
On "strategies to encourage
On "strategies to encourage rebuilding of damaged tissue", would love to hear opinions on this study NASA 4-year collaborative study on the efficacy of electromagnetic fields to stimulate growth and repair in mammalian tissues NASA/TP-2003-212054
Goal: "to define the most effective electromagnetic fields for enhancing growth and repair in mammalian tissues." They used human donor brain cells with the goal to "duplicate mature, three dimensional morphology between neuronal cells and feeder (glial) cells, which has not been previously accomplished."
Results: The PEMF used in the study "caused accelerated growth rate and better organized morphology over controls", and resulted in "greater cell viability" (85% vs. 65%).
In the gene discovery array (chip technology that surveyed 10,000 human genes), up-regulation was found in 150 genes associated with growth and cell restoration.
NASAs conclusions: "The up-regulation of these genes is in no manner marginal (1.7-8.4 logs) with gene sites for collagen production and growth the most actively stimulated."
"We have clearly demonstrated the bioelectric/biochemical potentiation of nerve stimulation and restoration in humans as a documented reality".
"The most effective electromagnetic field for repair of trauma was square wave with a rapid rate of change (dB/dt) which saw cell growth increased up to 4.0 times." Further noted that "slowly varying (millisecond pulse, sine wave) or non varying DC (CW lasers, magnets) had little to no effect."
Another notable opinion: electromagnetism controls "all chemical reactions, including life itself" - 'A brief history of time', Stephen Hawkings. Reportedly the longest ALS survivor, I bet he has a few friends at NASA...
SammyJo http://LDNers.org