Potential treatment for paralysis and neurodegenerative illnesses using synthetic neurons

Northwestern University researchers created a novel technique to create mature human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). Prior attempts to create mature hiPSCs resulted in abnormal clustering and the development of immature neurons. This is primarily caused by two neurons' extracellular matrix not interacting with one another. For neuronal activity to occur, synaptic connections must be established, which can only be done by mature neurons.

Using peptide amphipile supramolecular nanofibers, or "dancing molecules," the mature neurons were divided into motor and cortical neurons. The coated neurons displayed increased branching potential and signalling ability. In order to analyse the onset of neurodegenerative illnesses, the researchers were also able to further age the cells. Also, in order to examine the accumulation of neurological proteins and explore how the aggregation of causes the disease, the researchers extracted skin cells from patients with Alzheimer's disease and created patient specific iPSC.

Healthy neurons may be implanted into a patient to replace lost cognition or sensibility, and since iPSC-derived neurons are made from the patient's original cells and would be a genetic match, there would be no risk of rejection. This contemporary strategy will be evolutionary even though the yield of adequately matured cells will be quite low and new methods to integrate the manufacturing on a big scale are required.

References:

1. https://scitechdaily.com/mature-lab-grown-neurons-hold-promise-for-neurodegenerative-diseases-like-alzheimers/

2.https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-11-molecules-successfully-severe-spinal-cord.html?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MedicalXpress_TrendMD_1