A new study has found that certain toxic brain cells such as astrocytes may drive neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). In their latest findings, researchers said that astrocytes play an essential role in killing neurons and myelin-forming oligodendrocyte cells which is then believed to be an agent of cure when it comes to the said autoimmune disease. Recently conducted experiments have shown that an aggressive astrocyte type do have the ability to kill cells by secreting a yet unidentified factor for Multiple Sclerosis.
Toxic Brain Cells Shed Light On Multiple Sclerosis
In one of his statements reported by Stanford Medicine, the study's senior author, Ben Barres, MD, PhD, professor of neurobiology, of developmental biology and of neurology and neurological sciences said that a more deviant version of these toxic cells allegedly turns up in suspicious abundance in all the wrong places in brain-tissue samples from patients with brain injuries and major neurological disorders from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's even up to the mysterious emergence of multiple sclerosis. Additionally, Prof. Barres has also claimed that the research findings are overwhelming and by far, he tagged the study as the most important discovery that his lab has ever made.
The "Breakthrough" Study
Furthermore, as per Multiple Sclerosis News Today, it was found that astrocytes are reportedly the key players in forming and modulating connections and communications between neurons. Experts have explained that under some circumstances, astrocytes are found to change their appearance and behavior, which then converts them to into something more "reactive." In line with this,researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that cells are being formed when exposed to different factors. Ultimately, Prof. Barres has highly emphasized that the discovery of neurotoxic reactive astrocytes implies that acute injuries of the retina, brain and spinal cord and neurodegenerative diseases may all be much more highly treatable than has been thought.
