Nov. 15, 2012 Researchers and patients look forward to the day
when stem cells might be used to replace dying brain cells in
Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Scientists are currently able to make neurons and other brain
cells from stem cells, but getting these neurons to properly
function when transplanted to the host has proven to be more
difficult. Now, researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research
Institute have found a way to stimulate stem cell-derived
neurons to direct cognitive function after transplantation to an
existing neural network. The study was published November 7 in
the Journal of Neuroscience. "We showed for the first time that
embryonic stem cells that we've programmed to become neurons can
integrate into existing brain circuits and fire patterns of
electrical activity that are critical for consciousness and
neural network activity," said Stuart A. Lipton, M.D., Ph.D.,
senior author of the study. Lipton is director of Sanford-
Burnham's Del E. Webb Neuroscience,