Every year, millions of lives are suddenly, swiftly transformed by a stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel travelling towards the brain becomes obstructed, causing neurons to die off. Strokes are among the leading causes of disability in adults, and it is estimated that one in six people will suffer one at some point in their lives.

The human brain is by far the most complex organ in our bodies. Its sophisticated cellular architecture and neural networks give us language, memory and abstract reasoning. But this complexity comes at a cost, as brain tissue has a very limited ability to regenerate. Unlike skin or liver tissue, neurons that die are rarely replaced.

This is why brain injuries are the root cause of so many age-related diseases. One of the most serious and common of these is ischaemic stroke, caused by the interruption of blood flow to an area of the brain. Although advances in emergency treatment have improved survival rates, there is currently no therapy capable of repairing the neuronal damage caused by a stroke.

Rehabilitation helps restore some function, but in many cases stroke survivors live with permanent motor and cognitive impairments, as well as an increased risk of depression, dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. However, this could soon change thanks to the development of stem cell-based therapies.

Read more:

© The Conversation