Let’s not miss a big clue! Embryonic precursor transplants in adult hippocampus

This 2014 rodent study induced “multiple psychosis-relevant phenotypes by disrupting specific functions of the hippocampus. The researchers then “cured” the brain disorders:

“Transplanting interneuron progenitors derived from the embryonic medial ganglionic eminence into adult hippocampus mitigates these abnormalities.”

However, full function of the hippocampus wasn’t restored.


I disagree that this study’s findings:

“Support a rationale for targeting limbic cortical interneuron function in the prevention and treatment of schizophrenia.”

People with schizophrenia aren’t lab rats and shouldn’t be treated as such. They often don’t need something externally done to them to recover from brain disorders.

Doesn’t the fact that embryonic precursors to the adult brain helped “cure” the abnormalities tell us where to look for the disorders’ beginnings? Let’s not miss a big clue as to when brain disorders may start.

http://www.pnas.org/content/111/20/7450.full “Interneuron precursor transplants in adult hippocampus reverse psychosis-relevant features in a mouse model of hippocampal disinhibition”

Problematic research: Hippocampal memory reactivation during rest supports upcoming learning of related content

This 2014 human study involved the subjects replaying hippocampal memories in the limbic system while in a restful state.

The researchers found that intentional replaying made memories stronger, and improved understanding of future related material.

However, the researchers excluded emotional memories from this study. See the human Emotional memories and out-of-body–induced hippocampal amnesia study as an example of why emotional memories are necessary in order to properly study the hippocampus. Also see Problematic research on memory for why excluding emotional memories yields questionable findings.

http://www.pnas.org/content/111/44/15845.full “Memory reactivation during rest supports upcoming learning of related content”