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Study: Stem Cells May Restore Brains Damaged by Radiation
Submitted on:
11.13.2009
Scientists from CHI members University of California, Irvine and UC San Francisco have found in a study that embryonic stems cells may have the potential to help restore brain tissue damaged by radiation in cancer patients. Patients with tumors in their head or neck often undergo radiation therapy to battle the cancer; however, this therapy can lead to cognitive problems and memory loss. Embryonic stem cells have the ability to develop into any type of cell in the body. Researchers wanted to explore whether these cells, when placed in the brain, would naturally replace damaged tissue. In a study with rats, UC researchers placed embryonic stem cells in the damaged brains of rats and measured the rats’ cognitive abilities for four months. Researchers found that the rats treated with the cell therapy seemed to regain cognitive function compared to the untreated rats. The results suggest that embryonic stem cells could spare cancer patients much of the short-term memory loss that results from cranial radiation and perhaps boost long-term memory as well.
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