New hope for repairing stroke damaged brains
Researchers in The University of Adelaide’s new Centre for Stem Cell Research are aiming by the end of this year to show repair in stroke damaged brains using stem cells taken from adult teeth.
The focus of the new Centre will be on turning novel basic research into potential life saving treatments and cures for serious conditions and diseases.
The stroke research project is a collaboration between Dr Simon Koblar, The University of Adelaide, and Associate Professor Stan Gronthos, IMVS and Hanson Institute.
Last week they started injecting adult dental pulp stem cells into stroke damaged rat brains and should have preliminary results on therapeutic outcomes by the end of the year.
“Stroke is the leading cause of disability in Australia with 270,000 Australians left with the residue of strokes every year,” said Dr Koblar.
“Even if all we can do is get someone’s hand function to improve that would be a magnificent advance.”
Dental pulp stem cells are highly promising as precursors of replacement neurons (brain cells), because they are easily accessible, can be taken from the patient needing treatment, and they have similar properties to cranial neural crest cells that normally make brain cells and other cranial tissues.
