Is the brain a postmitotic organ? -- current knowledge on neural stem cells
Swietaszczyk, C.; Maciaczyk, Jław.; Tafil-Klawe, Młgorzata.
Przeglad Lekarski 60(5): 359-365
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2240 PMID: 14593680 Document Number: 553281
All the attempts for regeneration in the central nervous system (in clinical conditions) are still a failure. Hence the bulk of clinicists are convinced that the brain is a postmitotic organ. Are the pessimists right? In the recent few years some knowledge break-throughs have been made. It has been noticed in many places of adult mammals' brains there are cells capable of proliferating, including asymmetric divisions, and differentiating into neurons and glia when suitably stimulated. Such cells, called neural stem cells, are present also in the brains of adult humans, especially in the subventricular zone. It has been recently discovered that also cells derived from bone marrow are capable of differentiating into neurons. The authors reviewed world-wide literature devoted to this topic. They focused mainly on the biology of the newly discovered cells, and especially on their mitotic and differentiating potential. The authors critically assess the discoveries discussed.