“Nerve cells do not regenerate”. This expression is known to everyone. But it was a lot of research on this topic and failed to prove that it is not so. Moreover, in a recent study, published in the journal Cell Stem Cell, it is argued that nerve cells can not just restore its structure, but formed again. Even in quite old age. Only now these cells are still a little different from those that appeared at a young age.
In General, it should be said that the study of recovery processes and the formation of new cells — an emerging area of research, called “neurogenesis”. It is in this direction and worked with researchers from Columbia University, led by neuroscientist Maura Boldrini. For their study, they used tissue samples of the hippocampus of 28 people ranging in age from 14 to 79 years. Using an imaging technique called confocal microscopy, scientists were able to establish the speed with which the humans have formed new nerve cells, and also to prove that throughout life in the hippocampus produce new neurons.
“According to studies conducted on mice and confirmed in the study of human tissues, in the region of the dentate fascia of the brain are pluripotent stem cells. And though their number is limited and they can go the way of the formation of new neurons.”
Stem cells of the dentate fascia scientists call “parent”, and those that descended from them — the “child”. And the interesting thing is that with age the number of mother cells is reduced, but the “child” — and they can freely share. At the same time, nevertheless, the older a person is, the fewer links can form new cells.
“New neurons that appear in adulthood, and less contact with each other and form fewer connections and less likely to migrate to other parts of the brain.”
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A new study shows that nerve cells are still recovering
Vladimir Kuznetsov