Scientists have successfully grown human brain cells in the laboratory for the first time and used them to repair the damaged brains of head-injury victims.
The breakthrough brings new hope in the search for therapies not only for accident victims but also for those suffering the effects of strokes, Alzheimer�s, Parkinson�s and a range of other degenerative conditions.
The researchers emphasise the research is experimental, but it suggests there may one day be hope for spinal injury victims such as the late Christopher Reeve, the Superman star paralysed in a riding accident who died last year. In the initial experiments a man given the cultured brain cells apparently regained the ability to walk.
The research was carried out in China by Professor Zhu Jianhong of Fudan University hospital, who will announce the results of his work in London later this month.
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