role of neural stem cells in stroke recovery.
Published: 2004
Language: eng
Number of pages: 147
Description: The adult injured brain has been suggested to be capable of self-repair following stroke; however, the source of new neurons detected at the injury site and their role in functional recovery remain elusive. We hypothesized that subependymal (SE) precursors are the source of new cells that contribute to stroke recovery. To test this hypothesis we used proliferation markers to exclusively label SE cells prior to inducing stroke in the motor cortex. The labelled SE cells were tracked over the course of recovery to examine their contribution to newly formed tissue. SE cells were observed proliferating and migrating in response to exogenous growth factor infusion to contribute to new neurons and astrocytes within the ischemic infarct wherein new tissue directly linked to functional recovery developed. We conclude that endogenous SE precursors can be harnessed as an in vivo therapeutic strategy to promote regeneration of damaged tissue and thereby restore lost function.
Notes: Adviser:  Cindi M. Morshead.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2004.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 43-03, page: 0791.

MICR copy on microfiche (2 microfiches).