Strokes are usually caused by a blockage of an artery in your brain. The blood flow to the brain stops and these tissues die. Many strokes can cause motor dysfunction due to the location of major arteries in brain. However, some strokes can cause vision impairment or loss. Alexander Chubykin from Purdue University, an associate professor of biological science in the College of Science, and Gong Chen, Jinan University, China have discovered a method to use gene therapy to transform glial brain cells to neurons. This can restore visual function, as well as offer hope for motor function.
Neurons don't regenerate. Although the brain may be able to remap its neural pathways in order to restore visual function following a stroke or other serious medical conditions, this process can take a long time and is often inefficient. For some, it doesn't even happen at all. Stem cell therapy can be helpful, but it requires an immune match, and is slow and cumbersome. The new gene therapy is much more effective and more promising, as shown in a mouse model.
Chubykin stated that "we are directly reprogramming local glial cell into neurons." We don't need to implant new cells so there is no immunogenic rejection. This is a simpler process than stem cell therapy and causes less brain damage. The brain is being helped to heal itself. It is possible to see how the brain heals itself by restoring the connections between old and newly programmed neurons. The mice can see their vision returning."
Because visual function is more difficult than motor skills, Chubykin's research has great importance. He used techniques such as optical imaging in live mice to monitor the maturation and development of newly converted neurons over several weeks. This technique may be used to restore motor function by allowing for better understanding and perfecting it. This research bridges the gap between the basic understanding of neurons and organ function.
