Using stem cells to battle brain diseases

Esther B. E. Becker, Atlas of Science


Although scientific progress is being made, neurodegenerative diseases remain incurable. Research into these diseases has been hindered by the inaccessibility of the affected nerve cells in the human brain. However, the recent development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology in 2006 has revolutionized the way in which we can study brain disorders.
Of the small number of studies published to date, most have focused on Friedreich’s ataxia (the most common inherited ataxia).
With constant advances in our understanding of the use of chemicals to mimic embryonic differentiation pathways, it is only a matter of time before these models become a reality.

Publication: Induced pluripotent stem cell technology for modelling and therapy of cerebellar ataxia.Watson LM, Wong MM, Becker EB., Open Biol. 2015 Jul;5(7):150056. doi: 10.1098/rsob.150056.,


 Using stem cells to battle brain diseases

Induced pluripotent stem cell technology for modelling and therapy of cerebellar ataxia.