Using gene therapy to recover vision following a stroke

Researchers have conducted experiments in mice to explore the potential of gene therapy for restoring vision following a stroke.

Their findings, which are published in Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, suggest that this new application of gene therapy could be a promising treatment for brain injury.

Scientists note that the technology replenishes lost neurons and successfully integrates them into the existing neural circuit.

Research lead, Alexander Chubykin, of Purdue University, highlighted that the treatment involves directly reprogramming local glial cells into neurons.

"We don't have to implant new cells, so there's no immunogenic rejection. This process is easier to do than stem cell therapy, and there's less damage to the brain. We are helping the brain heal itself,” he shared.

Chubykin added that scientists observed connections forming between the old neurons and the reprogrammed neurons.

“We can watch the mice get their vision back," he said.