Monkey Teeth Help in the Stimulation of Brain Cells

A newly conducted study by researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, has shown that stem cells in teeth can be used to aid in the generation and growth of different neural cells. This study which was recently made available in ‘Stem Cells’ October issue details how it is possible for dental pulp stem cells to actually bring about regeneration and aid in cell therapy thereby helping any individual who is undergoing therapy in relation to the central nervous system.

Stem cell research is usually divided into two main branches out of which dental stem cells is one. These dental stem cells which are adult stem cells have the ability of regeneration into many different types of cells thereby increasing the possibility of therapeutic treatment for potentially dangerous diseases such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s. Earlier tests have already concluded the ability of dental pulp stem cells of being able to aid in the re-growth and restoration of craniofacial and dental cells.

The team of scientists at the Yerkes researcher at Emory University, led by Anthony Chan, DVM, PhD, conducted their experiments by using dental pulp stem cells extracted from the teeth of the rhesus monkey better known as the rhesus macaque, and then directly implanting them into the hippocampus of mice. “We noted that there was greater formation of neurons and at the same time an increase in the stimulation of growth of new neural cells. Our research has shown that it is possible to stimulate the growth of neurons through dental pulp stem cells. We now know that this will result in great therapeutic benefits and that dental pulp stem cells will soon one day be able to achieve a much broader goal,” says Chan, an assistant professor at the Emory School of Medicine studying human genetics.

The fact that it is possible to isolate dental pulp stem cells at any age from any patient by a simple visit to the dentist interests Chan as it is an indication of the possibility of banking such dental stem cell. “The chances of rejection by the body would greatly be reduced if it were possible to use one’s own stem cells for therapy,” says Chan.

The next step in the experiment for Chan and his research team is to determine whether dental pulp stem cells from Huntington suffering monkeys would help to improve, augment as well as enhance the development of any brain cells in mice.