Stem cell researchers develop new method to study neurodegenerative diseases in the lab

KU Leuven scientists present a new way to generate oligodendrocytes, building blocks of the brain that play a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and ALS. The method makes it much easier to study these cells and explore their therapeutic potential. All stem cells are immature, and pluripotent stem cells are the most immature among them: they can give rise to all different cell types of the body. Therefore, scientists can use them to generate cells that are otherwise difficult to study, including the oligodendrocytes in our brain. Oligodendrocytes regulate the production of myelin, the isolating cover around neurons that is essential for proper signal conduction. They're also important for providing the nutrients that support the neurons. Defects in the oligodendrocytes are linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).