Sarah Moyes writes in the East & Bays Courier about neuroscientist Bronwen Connor, who is researching adult stem cells in the brain.
The brain produces adult stem cells to aid in repair – it is hoped a better understanding of how these cells work, what could go wrong with them, and what triggers them, to aid in developing treatments for neurological and mental health disorders
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“The team is able to grow adult stem cells in sterilised units called cell culture hoods. They have experimented with what can influence the cells. One major discovery they’ve made is that lithium chloride, which is in anti-depressant medications like Prozac, can influence the cells and make them want to become neurons.
“Dr Connor says being able to influence the stem cells to become a neuron is exciting for her team.
“She says people with chronic depression appear to create fewer brain cells, meaning they can’t process emotions as well.”