A recent study has used skin cells from schizophrenic patients to clone neurons in their genome.
This is an example of therapeutic stem cell cloning. Once the patients
skin cells are turned into pluripotent stem cells, they are then turned
into brain cells with chemical means. After this, the researchers
examined how the new neurons connected to each other through dendritic
spines from each of the patients own genetic code. In the study, they
proved that neurons in patients with schizophrenia do not connect as
well as they should. Only one of the commonly used anti-psychotics,
called Loxapine, improved the connections of the neurons to each other.
How effective others may be is a study of measure to be completed with
other factors examined.
In this blog’s previous entry, Hormones Bring a New Brain,
it was reported that Northwestern University scientists unlocked the code of estrogen
receptors with a new class of chemicals. These chemicals may trump
Loxapine in their spine building potential, and connect the sick back
with reality. When knowing is half the battle, in spines versus space,
building connections may just win the war.
(None of the preceding document(s) should be construed as medical advice).
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