Healthcare (Commonwealth Union) – The brain cells are the specialized cells that are a part of the nervous system. Functions of the brain cells include receiving, processing, and transmitting information, permitting the rapid communication throughout the brain and the rest of the body.
In a groundbreaking breakthrough, scientists from QIMR Berghofer, working with the Francis Crick Institute, have uncovered how brain stem cells enter and exit a dormant phase known as “quiescence” — a survival mechanism that dates back to the earliest forms of life. Researchers of the study stated that these findings could open the door to new strategies for enhancing brain health and treating cancer.
A widely accepted belief for several years was that the neurons we are born with are the only ones we will continue to have. However, recent research has revealed that small groups of stem cells in the adult brain continue to make new neurons throughout life, supporting memory and overall cognitive function. These brain stem cells stay in a sleep-like, energy-conserving state, saving themselves until they are needed in a majority of situations. This quiescent state is not said to be specific to the brain — it is an ancient biological adaptation observed in organisms ranging from yeast to humans, as well as in tissues such as muscle and blood.
What makes the research especially significant is its demonstration of the way brain stem cells move between different levels of dormancy — much like changing from deep sleep to light sleep — before becoming active again. For the first time, researchers have charted the way these cells transition between phases of rest, a mechanism that not only protects the brain’s ability to regenerate but also prepares it for repair when facing damage or disease.
Dr. Lachlan Harris, who is the senior author of the study indicated that it is the first time they have been able to lay out how brain stem cells transition between deep and shallow quiescent states prior to being reactivated.
He further indicated that gaining a further understanding of this process is essential, as it explains how the brain maintains its repair systems and protects itself against neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Harris further pointed out that equally, it may shed light on brain cancers, where tumor cells exploit this ancient resting program to resist treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Researchers of the study indicated that the aggressive brain tumors, such as glioblastoma, pose a key obstacle in treatment partly because certain cancer cells can go into a dormant phase, avoiding detection by conventional therapies that target actively dividing cancer cells. These “sleeping” cancer cells may survive the 1st steps in treatment and later reawaken, bringing about tumor recurrence—a major factor playing a role in the often-tragic and more deadly return of brain cancer after therapy.
The joint efforts of QIMR Berghofer and the Crick team, spanning several years, have set a path for innovative treatment approaches. Having knowledge on ways to influence the resting state in healthy brain stem cells, scientists plan to either rouse dormant cancer cells so they can be attacked by existing treatments or let them remain in their dormant state permanently to halt tumor regrowth.
“This discovery is foundational because it doesn’t just advance our understanding of brain biology – it provides a roadmap for developing entirely new approaches to treating brain cancer or other neurological disease,” said Dr Harris. “It’s a transformational step that builds on an ancient biological process, offering hope for tackling one of the most stubborn challenges in medicine.”
The researchers are keen to see these insights into the brain’s most ancient survival strategies spark future solutions for brain health.
