Scientists have found that stem cells taken from teeth can grow to resemble brain cells and suggest they could one day be used in stroke treatment.
In the University of Adelaide's Centre for Stem Cell Research, laboratory studies have shown that stem cells from teeth can develop and form complex networks of brain-like cells.
Although these cells have not developed into fully fledged neurons, researchers believe it's just a matter of time and the right conditions for it to happen.
"Stem cells from teeth have great potential to grow into new brain or nerve cells, and this could potentially assist with treatments of brain disorders, such as stroke," said Dr Kylie Ellis, Commercial Development Manager with the University's commercial arm, Adelaide Research & Innovation (ARI).
"The reality is, treatment options available to the thousands of stroke patients every year are limited," Ellis said.
"The primary drug treatment available must be administered within hours of a stroke and many people don't have access within that timeframe, because they often can't seek help for some time after the attack," Ellis added.
"Ultimately, we want to be able to use a patient's own stem cells for tailor-made brain therapy that doesn't have the host rejection issues commonly associated with cell-based therapies," Ellis said.
"Another advantage is that dental pulp stem cell therapy may provide a treatment option available months or even years after the stroke has occurred," she added.
Ellis and her colleagues, Professors Simon Koblar, David O'Carroll and Stan Gronthos, have been working on a laboratory-based model for actual treatment in humans.
As part of this research Ellis found that stem cells derived from teeth developed into cells that closely resembled neurons.
"We can do this by providing an environment for the cells that is as close to a normal brain environment as possible, so that instead of becoming cells for teeth they become brain cells," Ellis said.
"What we developed wasn't identical to normal neurons, but the new cells shared very similar properties to neurons.
"They also formed complex networks and communicated through simple electrical activity, like you might see between cells in the developing brain," Ellis added.
The study was published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy.
