Researchers have succeeded in transforming human support brain cells, called astroglial cells, into functioning neurons for brain repair.The new technology opens the door to future development of drugs that patients could take as pills to regenerate neurons and to restore brain functions lost after traumatic injuries, stroke, or diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Previous research, such as conventional stem-cell therapy, has required brain surgery, so it is much more invasive and prone to immune-system rejection and other problems.
