Research published in Nature Medicine has demonstrated dual benefits of carbon monoxide (CO) in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The researchers found that the CO-releasing molecule CORM-3 decreased pericyte death in the injured mice. A resulting increase in crosstalk between pericytes and neural stem cells led to induction of neurogenesis. The CORM-3-treated mice also showed enhanced neurological recovery, as determined by a range of behavioural and motor tasks. The results suggest that CO warrants further investigation as a possible therapy for TBI.
References
Choi, K. Y. et al. Dual effects of carbon monoxide on pericytes and neurogenesis in traumatic brain injury. Nat. Med. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm.4188 (2016)
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Wood, H. Carbon monoxide — a potential therapy for traumatic brain injury?. Nat Rev Neurol 12, 615 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2016.158
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2016.158