Advancement within neuroscience
I’m impressed by the amount of neurological research that’s being pursued lately. The fact that we, as humans, have finally reached a point at which we have the technology to pursue advancements in the neurosciences is inspiring. Today, a blog entry was posted at the Technology Review regarding research on a ‘A Chemical to Grow Brain Cells’. I remembered that I had this entry saved [to comment on] regarding an article posted on the same site regarding research on ‘Helping the Brain to Help Itself’ and decided to combine my thoughts on both as they’re so closely related.
Due to trauma and disease, humans have been unsuccessfully struggling with neurological damage. As a growing number of people are impacted, researchers continue to pursue the ultimate solution: neuron regeneration. The article posted in May states that a team of researchers found a way to transform astroglia cells within the brain and spinal column, into functioning neurons. By using gene research, in addition to recruiting inactive viruses, they were able to re-recruit these cells into joining the neural fold. Growing up, I remember thinking about how far we were from realizing truth out of science fiction, and today, time and time again, it occurs. Stem cell research was the most significant type of research into transforming one type of cell into another, and now, the same methodology is being used across the entire medical field.
On the other side, researchers are also pursuing methods to increase growth of neurons in the brain by understanding the various growth factors, and ‘adjusting’ them to boost normal production. The latest blog entry that I mentioned earlier discusses how researchers have closed in on a protein in rats that protects new neurons from dying off, ultimately resulting in more new neurons. My only fear with this type of technology is the potential for runaway growth, potentially causing brain cancer. The systems in the human body work in congruence to prevent any one system and/or cell from burdening the collective, and I’m afraid that while research is looking into providing solutions to prevent loss of life by disease/trauma, that the potential for a negative outcome is inevitable.
Overall, I am ecstatic by the ongoing research within the neurosciences, and I look forward to the day, when neurological disease/trauma can be thwarted by these creative solutions.
Due to trauma and disease, humans have been unsuccessfully struggling with neurological damage. As a growing number of people are impacted, researchers continue to pursue the ultimate solution: neuron regeneration. The article posted in May states that a team of researchers found a way to transform astroglia cells within the brain and spinal column, into functioning neurons. By using gene research, in addition to recruiting inactive viruses, they were able to re-recruit these cells into joining the neural fold. Growing up, I remember thinking about how far we were from realizing truth out of science fiction, and today, time and time again, it occurs. Stem cell research was the most significant type of research into transforming one type of cell into another, and now, the same methodology is being used across the entire medical field.
On the other side, researchers are also pursuing methods to increase growth of neurons in the brain by understanding the various growth factors, and ‘adjusting’ them to boost normal production. The latest blog entry that I mentioned earlier discusses how researchers have closed in on a protein in rats that protects new neurons from dying off, ultimately resulting in more new neurons. My only fear with this type of technology is the potential for runaway growth, potentially causing brain cancer. The systems in the human body work in congruence to prevent any one system and/or cell from burdening the collective, and I’m afraid that while research is looking into providing solutions to prevent loss of life by disease/trauma, that the potential for a negative outcome is inevitable.
Overall, I am ecstatic by the ongoing research within the neurosciences, and I look forward to the day, when neurological disease/trauma can be thwarted by these creative solutions.