UW-Madison Neuroscience and Neurology Professor Su-Chun Zhang and his research team recently published a model to aid in understanding ALS and Huntington’s disease, according to a university release Monday.
Zhang and another lead study author, Hong Chen, conducted similar studies in which they implanted astrocytes from human ALS patients into mice. Astrocytes, which help maintain the nervous system, play an important role in the brain, spinal cord and the diseases that afflict them. The studies showed that the cells acted as they would in mice, but over time induced ALS-like symptoms such as disrupted motor function.
Since their discovery 30 years ago, astrocytes have been difficult for scientists to understand, but Zhang is intent on future research regarding astrocytes and the nervous system, according to the release.
“I really want to push hard to potentially treat spinal cord injury, and especially ALS,” Zhang said in the release. “It's so devastating, and after so long, there is still no treatment.”
