True Location of Brain Stem Cells Discovered

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)