Neuro Note #5: (TedTalk) Can the Damaged Brain Repair Itself?

While searching for something to write my last neuro note on, I came across this TedTalk from Dr. Siddharthan Chandran, "Can the damaged brain repair itself?", discussing how the brain can spontaneously repair itself by using its own stem cells. This was fascinating to me, because I have been interested in stem cell research for some time. Dr. Chandran opens by talking about the devastating effects of neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and Huntington's disease, and how they affect the people diagnosed with them. He says that thirty-five million people are living with a neurological condition, while the annual cost of these diseases is around 700 billion dollars. The number of people living with neurological conditions today is rising because these diseases are age-related, and people are living longer.

Dr. Chandran made an interesting point in his presentation; the brain can repair itself, but it just doesn't do it well enough. When damage is made to brain cells, it is manifested as disease. This makes sense, because when nerve cells become demyelinated, this can lead to the manifestation of multiple sclerosis. Spontaneous repair can occur from human stem cells in the brain which lays down new myelin over damaged nerves. In one study, Dr. Chandran discusses a patient's shrinking optic nerve as a result of multiple sclerosis. He found that after placing new stem cells in the brain, over a twelve month period, the optic nerve began to repair itself and increase in size. I think it is pretty amazing how our bodies can repair themselves, even after incurring damage.

The topic of stem cell research has been heavily debated in the last ten years, so I think it is difficult to say how many doctors, researchers, and patients would actually be on board with this type of treatment. I believe that there can be many benefits from the use of stem cells, since they have the potential to be generated into basically any type of cell that is needed, such as bone, liver, or nerve cells. I would like to further my knowledge on this topic by looking into more studies, such as the one mentioned by Dr. Chandran, to see how this intervention can affect individuals with other types of neurological conditions. Dr. Chandran's message gives hope to people who live with neurological conditions, and hopefully there will be cures one day for these awful diseases.

You can access Dr. Chandran's TedTalk at the link listed below:

Chandran, S. (July 2013). Can the damaged brain repair itself? [Video file]. Retrieved from:
https://www.ted.com/talks/siddharthan_chandran_can_the_damaged_brain_repair_itself#t-939196