Researchers at UC, Irvine identified the true location of adult stem cells in the brain. Previous studies indicated that in mammals, adult neural stem cells originate in a region of the brain called the subventricular zone. In this study, the team found evidence that stem cells exist only in a region called the ependymal layer, which is adjacent to the subventricular zone. They also coaxed the ependymal stem cells to divide in adult rats displaying Parkinson's Disease-like symptoms. This work raises the possibility that manipulating cells of the ependymal cell layer could lead to stem cell therapies for neurological diseases.
Neuroscience: July 11, 2008
CIRM funding: Darius Gleason (T1-00008)
Related Information: UC, Irvine press release, Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center
