Neuronal Reprogramming for Brain Repair: Challenges and Perspectives

Abstract

Brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases elicit neuronal loss that persists because the adult mammalian brain lacks robust regenerative abilities. Direct reprogramming of local glial cells into neurons is a promising strategy for neuronal replacement in vivo. We discuss recent advances and future challenges in this approach to brain repair.

Keywords: astrocytes; brain repair; neuronal loss; neuronal reprogramming.