A recent study has uncovered crucial details about one of the most severe impacts of stroke: the damage it inflicts on the brain’s nerve fibers, which can result in long-lasting disabilities.
Researchers from the Department of Molecular Medicine at SDU have conducted a study that highlights a significant consequence of stroke: harm to the brain’s nerve fibers, commonly referred to as “cables,” resulting in irreversible impairments. Utilizing unique tissue samples from Denmark’s Brain Bank at SDU, this research could lead to innovative therapies that encourage the brain’s self-repair mechanisms.
The brain attempts to heal itself
A stroke happens when the blood flow to a part of the brain is obstructed, causing damage. After such an injury, the brain initiates a repair process aimed at restoring the damaged nerve fibers by rebuilding their protective covering known as myelin. However, this repair often only occurs partially, which means that many patients face enduring deficits in their mental and physical abilities. Professor Kate Lykke Lambertsen, one of the leading authors of the study, notes that the brain possesses some ability to heal:
“We must discover methods to support these cells in completing their vital tasks, even under challenging circumstances.”
The researchers have examined how inflammation can impede this healing process. Their findings reveal a specific type of cell in the brain that is crucial for rebuilding myelin, but its functioning can be obstructed by inflammation.
How the brain collection was utilized by researchers
“Leveraging the brain collection allows us to accurately identify which brain regions are most actively involved in the repair process,” states Professor Kate Lykke Lambertsen.
This detailed mapping facilitated the analysis of tissue samples from the Danish Brain Bank, enhancing our comprehension of the mechanisms that allow the brain to mend itself.
Through sophisticated staining methods known as immunohistochemistry, the researchers identified specific cells essential to the myelin reconstruction process in damaged areas of the brain.
The samples were examined to differentiate between various parts of the brain, including the infarct core (the area with the most damage), the peri-infarct zone (surrounding tissue that is actively repairing), and seemingly unaffected tissue.
This analysis revealed information about where repair cells gather and how their functions differ based on gender and the time elapsed since the stroke.
Responses vary by gender
A notable finding from the study indicates that the brains of women and men react differently to injuries.
“These differences highlight the need for future treatments to be more precisely tailored to account for each patient’s gender and individual characteristics,” explains Kate Lykke Lambertsen.
In women, inflammatory conditions may inhibit the repair cell activity, while men exhibit a slightly improved capacity to start the repair process. This disparity may help to explain why women frequently face greater challenges after experiencing a stroke.
The importance of SDU’s brain collection for advancements
The researchers stress that their findings would not have been possible without the resources provided by Denmark’s Brain Bank at SDU. This collection houses tissue samples from human brains, which are essential for deeply studying brain diseases.
Access to this resource enables scientists to explore the underlying processes of conditions such as stroke and to formulate new treatment options.
Facts:
What is myelin?
Myelin is a protective layer surrounding nerve fibers within the brain and spinal cord, facilitating fast and efficient signal transmission between nerve cells.
What is the brain collection?
Denmark’s Brain Bank, also known as the brain collection, includes over 10,000 human brains and tissue samples used for research on neurological disorders such as stroke, dementia, and sclerosis.
What is Immunohistochemistry?
This is a method that employs antibodies to stain and identify specific cells or proteins within tissue, aiding researchers in examining cell roles and locations within the body.
