The mice’s sense of smell has been restored by spraying stem cells up their noses.
Researchers have been able to replenish olfactory neurons in mice using stem cells. This could lead to a simple, effective and affordable treatment that restores the sense of scent in those who lost it or did not possess it at all.
Scientists were able, by using droplets of globose base cells (the same cells that replace damaged and aged neurons related to scent), to make them develop into nerve cells stretching all the way into the brain.
In the end, a few drops of stem cells allowed the mice’s brains to reconnect the axons that lead to the olfactory signals. Scientists have a long road ahead of them before they can repeat the feat with humans, but this is a promising start.
Source:
https://www.sciencealert.com/spraying-stem-cells-up-the-noses-of-mice-can-restore-their-sense-of-smell
