Live View of Neural Stem Cells With MRI, Carnegie Mellon University Study

An MRI-based technique that allows researchers to non-invasively follow stem cells in vivo could be used to develop treatments for brain injury caused by trauma, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological disorders. Neural stem cells are born deep in an area of the brain called the subventricular zone. As time goes on, the cells, also called neuroblasts, make their way to other areas of the brain where they mature into functioning neurons. The brain’s ability to regenerate its cells is of great interest to scientists.