Surprising New Findings about Brain Cells after Injury ~ Los Angeles Lawyer Articles

Friday, May 31, 2013

Surprising New Findings about Brain Cells after Injury


The role of neurons in the repair of damaged brain tissue after an injury has been the subject of extensive research in this field.  California brain injury lawyers have always known that certain types of brain cells have the ability to exacerbate the injury.  However, a new study finds that these brain cells actually play a much more complex role in brain injury than earlier thought.  The study finds that certain kinds of brain cells are actually needed to help stop bleeding and help rejuvenate the cells.
These particular brain cells are known as astrocytes, and are believed to rush to the site of the injury after one has occurred.  However, their role is now believed to be much more beneficial than previously thought. 
The new study that was published in the journal Nature recently, especially focused on the replacement of damaged or lost brain neurons after an injury, to restore the function of the brain.  Once brain cells have been damaged, they cannot multiply.  Therefore, the focus of many studies has been to trigger the production of brain stem cells, in order to produce new neurons to replace the damaged cells.   
This process has been difficult because the brain stem cells also produce astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.  These cells together are known as glial cells.  Although these cells are beneficial, the increased number of astrocytes after a brain injury has been considered to have a negative effect on patients’ chances of healing after a brain injury.
However, the researchers found that astrocytes that are produced in one particular niche of the brain, called the sub ventricular zone, are different from those that are produced in other regions of the brain, in that these astrocytes rush to the injured area to stop bleeding, reduce scarring and allow recovery.

No comments:

 
Add to Technorati Favorites