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Oceania: New Zealand

Cell migration study to enhance work in brain disease

Scientists from the University of Auckland, alongside colleagues in Sweden, have discovered how new brain cells migrate throughout the brain to other areas which include those affected by neurological diseases. They also found that much of the brain’s ability to regenerate remains active even in older people.

According to the recently published study the findings could pave the way for a new range of 21st century treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntingdon’s disease.

Professor Richard Faull of Auckland University’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences said, “This research will change the way in which we can look at diseases where brain cells die, such as Huntingdon’s Disease, or require repair, such as Stroke. By knowing how stem cells move around, we can now look at new ways to regenerate cells and repair damage to the areas of the brain affected by these conditions.”

The researchers used brains donated to the Neurological Foundation’s Human Brain Bank at the University of Auckland’s Department of Anatomy.
Professor Faull paid tribute to the generosity of those families who donated their loved ones’ brains for the benefit of others in society and concluded, “The brain bank has helped New Zealand scientists, in collaboration with their Swedish colleagues, to make discoveries which have huge implications for the way the world looks at major neurological disorders.”

For further information visit the University of Auckland website at: www.auckland.ac.nz

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