X-Message-Number: 25960 From: "Basie" <> Subject: The brain may be repaired Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 00:18:11 -0500 Protein might support brain healing CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 29 (UPI) -- In a step towards being able to treat brain damage, Massachusetts scientists have identified a molecule key to helping stem cells survive in one's brain. In the developing brain, stem cells grow and then die through a pre-programmed form of disintegration called apoptosis. Apoptosis helps keep a brain from expanding beyond its normal size and shape. The growth-promoting protein CPG15 moderates apoptosis, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology discovered. Researchers believe they may be able to use the protein to help normally occurring stem cells survive in the human brain. If they are correct, the protein could offer an avenue to treat brain dysfunction. While a few areas of the adult brain have stem cells that can successfully regenerate neurons, many do not. Researchers suspect memory deficits and other disorders are a result of a lack of such stem cells and an inability to repair neurons. If CPG15 can help those stem cells survive, it might help those areas of the brain repair themselves. CPG15 may also help researchers successfully grow neurons outside the body that could then be planted where needed to replace damaged or diseased tissue. The research is described in the March issue of Nature Neuroscience. Copyright 2005 by United Press International http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Science&article=UPI-1-20050329-20285900-bc-us-brainfix.xml Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=25960