Heal brain damage with new materials

By using bio-foam implants, scientists have succeeded in reconstructing teeth, tendons, heart tissue, bones and cartilage in the human body. This material acts as a framework for the added tissues to reside and grow.

Most recently, Spanish scientists, with similar techniques, also used biological implants to heal brain injuries for patients with traumatic brain injury or stroke.

José Miguel Soria at CEU University Cardenal Herrera and Prof. Manuel Monleón of Politècnica de València University have designed Acrylate copolymer transplants, a synthetic material with a porous structure and high biological compatibility.

They transplanted the test tissue into two areas of the brain, including: brain and subventricular, the area between the ventricles and the medial areas in the frontal brain. After 2 months, new blood vessels and neuron progenitor cells developed on the implants very well.

Usually the regeneration of adult brain tissue is very limited because new blood vessels tend to not grow on damaged tissues.

According to scientists, the presence of blood vessels and precursor cells of neurons will allow new neurons and glial cells (cell types that support nerve cells) to cure healing brain damage.

The research has just been published in the recent issue of biomedical research.

Reference: Gizmag