Regeneracija mozga: od neuroznanstvene nade do bioetičkog problema

Abstract

The understanding of brain organization was based on the traditional view that after birth no production of new neurons occurs. Neuron loss occurring during life course is permanent and irreparable. After discovery of neurogenesis in the adult brain, where new neurons integrate in the brain tissue, the new approaches to brain therapy were envisaged. Brain damage could be recovered by new neurons, derived by therapeutic introduction of neural stem cells. Be-side this innovative medical approach, our awareness of neural stem cell abilities modify the understanding of brain function, and subsequently of ourselves. Traditional view that brain structures are stable due to their high complexity is counteracted with a new view in which brain adapts to integrate new neurons. The consequences of this could result not only in brain repair, but as well neural stem cells could influence overall brain activities.