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 Brain
Transplantation
Mankind seems to be incapable of taking brain transplantation
seriously. Because
of films such as, “Frankenstein,” brain transplantation has
taken on another image. The conceptual change in the idea of
death makes the brain the determining factor in the existence of
life. According to
the relationship between the mind and brain, this makes the
brain become the determining factor as to whether someone can
enjoy a certain quality of life. The idea of how impossible I
seems to transfer the brain has also made it seem implausible to
perform or even discuss transplantation. Brain transplantation
is best described as the selective implantation of certain types
of tissue into specific areas in the brain with a view to
restore neurological function. This has never been accepted as a
probable treatment option; yet, many centers have carried out
this procedure in critical trials on selected patients.
The
grafted tissue serves many purposes in the procedure. For one, it can be used as a natural source of tissue.
It can also replace lost nerve cells, recover partly
damaged cells, supply growth factors to stimulate function or
even to simply act as a form of “tissue bridge.” If a bridge were to form, it would prove that the grafted
tissue provided the framework necessary to grow host nerve cells
on its own.
Donor
Embryonic brain tissue cells, also referred to as, “Chromaffin,”
are derived from the adult adrenal medulla, an area in the
brain. This area is rich in a material called, “Catecholamines.”
The cells in the peripheral nerve called, “Schwann
cells,” are rich in material called, “Nerve Growth
Factor,“ and have been used during the procedure.
In
addition, there are numerous other areas where neurotropic
factors are found. One
is in the human amniotic membrane of a fetus.
According to physicians, the amniotic membrane of the
amniotic sac is rich in this substance. The amniotic membrane,
when used as a “Co-donor,” assists in sprouting and in the
growth of the host’s nerve cells.
Another option would be to locate a co-donor by using
genetically engineered cells.
These cells are programmed to perform specific functions.
As far as long term responses to the transplanted tissue,
a great deal is still unclear. Experts may not be sure; however,
they are confident in the procedure.
In fact, they are so confident that they have been quoted
to say, “The potential benefits will outweigh any possible
hazards.”
The
Future
A great deal of time, effort and funds have been implemented to
establish brain implantation as a treatment alternative.
Specific areas are continuously being researched.
Neuro degenerative disorders, particularly Parkinsons and
Alzheimer's disease, are two areas in which a great deal of
time, money and research are going into.
If we were to understand these disorders in reference to
what we can learn about acute head and spinal injuries and other
types of neuropsychiatry disorders, we could possibly open a
Pandora’s box into a whole new world of medical discovery.
Now, one side effect of this would be that the demand for
donor tissue would far exceed the legitimate supply.
As well, the show of mass scale not obligatory abortions,
in order to supply fetal brain tissue, is another problem which
could come out of this procedure.
The idea of developing tissue by aborting a baby is
horrendous. Yes,
this procedure could take place in science fiction novels and
movies, like Brave New World, but not in the real world.
And
in any new area, there are so many questions to be asked and so
many to be answered. For
example:
Ÿ
Which
conditions promote maximum graft survival and function?
Ÿ
Who is
suitable for brain transplantation therapy?
Ÿ
Why do
some patients improve more than others?
Ÿ
Is
immunosuppressant necessary for fetal tissues that supposedly do
not elicit an antibody reaction?
These
questions are very relevant and must be answered. A major issue that could determine the success of brain
transplantation is not only surgical technique, but how to
increase transplanted brain matter survival.
No one wants to participate with a procedure that has a
terrible survival rate. As
well, there must be documented procedure’s in which the
recipient’s brain reacts positively and proper growth of nerve
cells takes place. While these two outcomes may seem impossible,
John F. Kennedy once remarked, “The greatest failure of all
failures is the failure to attempt.” How will we ever know if
we refuse to try?
The
specialized idea of Neurotransplantation is not even in its
embryonic stage. In fact, it has just been conceived.
According to past reactions, it seems that it will
eventually proceed to term, even, if there are initially a few
abortions, yet that is not the projected path.
Neurosurgeons
of the 21st century will be responsible for providing the world
with this procedure. The
first step will be to use genetically engineered cells and
implant them into the Substantia Nigra in patients with
Parkinsons. These
cells will have been altered to produce dopamine. The
neurosurgeon of the next millennium will inject the genetically
engineered cells into damaged areas in the head of those with
injured brains. The reaction would be incredible.
By doing so, the release of nerve growth factors would
stimulate dying cells and perhaps enable them recover on their
own. Recombinant technology would provide new thrombolytic
agents which would completely change the face of treatment.
For instance, it would revolutionize the treatment of
stroke. The neurologist of tomorrow would become a new type of
Physician, one that makes dreams alive.
Impossible
Yesterday - Today's News:
As
we have previously stated, many ideas have been rejected through
out time. With
almost every invention, something that first looks impossible
usually becomes possible tomorrow. Stem
cell research could change the face of medical history,
research, and procedures. As
one CNN report points out, growing body parts is even becoming
an acceptable medical procedure. In Haddam Neck, Connecticut,
doctors did jus that. For one sixteen year old with Spina Bifida,
the procedure has changed her life.
Born with this congenital birth defect which stunts brain
and spinal cord development, the teen was mortified about even
stepping out of her house.
It’s hard enough to be a teenager let alone to deal
with a hoard of nerves jutting out of the base of her spine.
Whereas the teen had a number of surgeries as a child,
more problems surfaced. For
one, her bladder could not properly function.
The poor teen couldn‘t even drink water or a cup of
juice without fear of having something called a “bladder
burst.” She had
frequent accidents at school and this was extremely unhealthy
for her body. Because
of a new procedure designed by physicians and scientists at Wake
Forest University in North Carolina, this teen can now live a
bit more carefree. In this teen and six other patients, their bladders were
replaced with bladders that scientists grew from each patients'
own cells. The bladders were then transplanted back into each
patients body. Something that no one ever deemed possible, growing body
parts from each patients own cells and then transplanting them
back into each person’s body, is now a reality and is saving
lives.
The
experiment is considered a long-term success in all the patients
who were aged from toddler to teen.
All of the patients in the study have spina bifida, which
puts them at risk for kidney damage which leads to problems with
urinary control. Usually doctors aid patient’s by using a piece of the
intestine to create a new bladder, which is often called a risky
practice. According
to experts, when you take a piece of the intestine and use it as
a bladder, absorption occurs which should not take place.
With this absorption, problems such as problems with bone
growth, mucus production, metabolic
problems and even cancer, can occur.
With the new procedure, doctors are able to extract
muscle and bladder cells from the patient’s own bladder.
They then grow cells in a Petri dish and soon onto a
three dimensional mold that is in the shape of a human bladder.
In weeks, a new bladder is formed from the variation of
cells. It is then
implanted into the into the patient and ready to go. Within a
few more weeks, the new bladder becomes a full functioning,
normal size body part. The
laboratory responsible for this procedure is working to grow
twenty different tissues and organs as well as blood vessels,
and hearts, Could
you imagine now how easy it may be to do the same with the brain
or perhaps, perform such a procedure that was once discounted?
According to doctors, since the bladders are grown from the
patient themselves, there is no risk of rejection.
Perhaps, the same techniques could be used for the brain?
Skeptics
say if the mind of one can be transferred into another then it
would not be considered to be the same person. This is not a
valid point to make. Due
to the fact that external appearance has nothing to do with
one’s identity, how can you place the value of ones life on
this idea. For
example, if we never possessed a mirror, how would anyone know
what they looked like anyways?
Physical appearance is a state of mind, no pun intended,
and the human’s mind is what really matters.
Another example that must be made is with disfigured
people or even burn victims.
Then would it only be okay?
A woman from France recently had a face transplant which
may prove the point that although her face has changed, she is
still the same person with same thoughts, ideas, memories and
feelings.
| fact file |
America's
top killers |
|
| Rank |
Cause
of death |
Number |
| 1 |
Heart
disease |
654,092 |
| 2 |
Cancer |
550,270 |
| 3 |
Stroke |
150,147 |
| 4 |
Chronic
lung disease |
123,884 |
| 5 |
Accidents |
108,694 |
| 6 |
Diabetes |
72,815 |
| 7 |
Alzheimer’s |
65,829 |
| 8 |
Flu
and pneumonia |
61,472 |
| 9 |
Kidney
disease |
42,762 |
| 10 |
Blood
infections |
33,464 |
| 11 |
Suicide |
31,647 |
| 12 |
Liver
disease |
26,549 |
| 13 |
Hypertensive
disease |
22,953 |
| 14 |
Parkinson’s
disease |
18,018 |
| 15 |
Lung
inflammation |
16,959 |
| |
All
other causes |
418,810 |
| Total
deaths |
|
2,398,365 |
|
|
| Source: National Center for
Health Statistics, Preliminary Mortality Data, 2004 |
|
