Advancement in Stem Cells to Treat the Gastrointestinal System

September 02, 2020

New Technique Could Help Many Disorders Including Autism

Scientists from the University of Sheffield and University College London have made a breakthrough in understanding the formation of the enteric nervous system (ENS) of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. Dysfunction of the ENS is linked to a wide range of conditions such as Parkinson’s, Hirschprung’s disease and autism. The scientists were able to generate enteric neurons in the lab using human pluripotent stem cells and successfully implant them into mice engineered to lack an ENS. The neurons took hold in the mouse GI tract and became functional. The findings pave the way for new regenerative treatments for GI diseases in humans.

Original Article

Original Study

Further Reading: Autism & GI Disturbance

Neuroscience News Article

Columbia University Study

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