Transplanted Stem Cells Do Their Job, New Approach to Epilepsy-Therapy

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 04 Jun 2004 - 3:00 PDT


Embryonic stem cells can contribute to the regeneration of brain tissue. This exciting result of research carried out by a German group received large interest at the 6th European Congress on Epileptology that finished yesterday in Vienna, Austria.

They reported that neuronal precursor cells that were derived from embryonic stem cells were functionally integrated into host brain tissue after transplantation. The therapeutic potential that goes beyond epilepsy patients was intensively discussed among the delegates from 80 nations.

This news is from the 6th European Congress on Epileptology in Vienna, Austria

The research on epilepsy often leads to exciting results about the basic mechanisms of brain function. The European Congress on Epileptology (ECE), one of the largest specialised medical congresses in Europe, offers a regular forum to discuss such scientific advances.

This year at the 6th ECE, results presented by Prof. Oliver Brüstle, Institute of Reconstructive Neurobiology, University of Bonn, Germany, were received with great interest. He provided clear evidence for the morphological and functional integration into host brain tissue of neuronal precursor cells that were derived from embryonic stem cells (ES). In that way, Brüstle convincingly demonstrated the potential of such ES-derived neuronal precursor cells in cell cultures and animal models.

The results may lead to future applications that will support the limited regenerative capacity of the central nervous system by means of transplantation of ES-derived neuronal precursor cells; a possibility with great potential in epileptic surgery because, the best therapy option for up to 20 % of epilepsy patients remains the removal of uncontrolled excitatory cells that cause electrical discharge in the brain.

The work is published in the current issue of "The Journal of Neuroscience" (see reference below). Oliver Brüstle explains his work further: "Currently we are at an early stage of our research. A lot more basic science is necessary before we can fathom the potential for clinical applications of embryonic stem cells. However, together with Heinz Beck and his team at the Clinic for Epileptology in Bonn, we were able to show in animal models that following transplantation, embryonic stem cell-derived neurones connect well with neurones of the host tissue. They migrate into several regions of the brain and not only become electrically active and fire action potentials there, but also receive and process signals from the host's brain."

It is still too early to say if the regeneration of brain tissue can be improved in this way. Hence, the potential for epilepsy therapy too is not known at this stage. However, in addition to replacing surgically removed, or otherwise lost, neurons, the transplantation of stem cells into the brain also offers the possibility to introduce compounds that repress seizures in epileptic brains - an innovative approach to epilepsy therapy.

Prof. Christoph Baumgartner, the chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the 6th ECE and the director of the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Neurological University Clinic, Vienna General Hospital, confirms the fact that new approaches to epilepsy therapy are necessary:

"Nowadays two-thirds of epilepsy patients can be treated very well using modern anti-epileptic drugs. However, each year thousands of patients require other therapeutic approaches. One successful alternative is epilepsy surgery that removes affected brain areas. The efficacy of such treatment may well be enhanced by subsequent brain regeneration using inhibitory neurons."

The 6th ECE that finished on Thursday, June 3, offered an ideal opportunity for the discussion of innovative epilepsy therapies among specialists from different medical fields such as neurology, paediatrics, psychology and molecular biology. Baumgartner adds: "Today we have already the choice between several efficient epilepsy therapies. In that respect, it is important to discuss any novel therapy with colleagues from the relevant disciplines. We can find the best therapy for the individual patient only in this way. The ECE that attracted 3394 delegates from 80 nations this year is ideal for such discussions." The ECE is a biannual event that always takes place in a different European capital. It is organised by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) with support from the relevant national chapter. Vienna was chosen as the venue for the 2004 Congress and the positions of Co-chair of the International Organising Committee and the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee were both held by representatives of the Austrian chapter of the ILAE.

Reference: Wernig et al.: Functional Integration of Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neurons In Vivo. Journal of Neuroscience 2004 Vol. 24 No. 22: pp 5258-5268. DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0428-04.2004

Contact:
Prof. Christoph Baumgartner
Neurological University Clinic
Vienna General Hospital
Währinger Gürtel 18-20
A-1090 Vienna
T +43-1-40 400-3433
M +43-664-323 84 60
E christoph.baumgartner@univie.ac.at

This is issued by:
PR&D - Public Relations for Research & Development
Campus Vienna Biocenter 2
A-1030 Vienna
T +43-1-505 70 44
E contact@prd.at

----------------------------- Ulrike Unterberger
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PR&D - Public Relations for Research & Development

T +43 1 505 70 44
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Campus Vienna Biocenter 2
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