Functional Cortical Axon Tracts Generated from Human Stem Cell-Derived Neurons

IMPACT STATEMENT:Axon regeneration is negligible in the adult mammalian brain, and thus, white matter damage often leads to permanent neurological deficits. A novel approach for axon repair is the generation of axon tracts in the laboratory setting followed by transplantation of these constructs. This article details a human substrate for this repair strategy. Using the technique of axon stretch growth, functional cortical axon tracts are generated from human pluripotent stem cells at rates of up to 1 mm/day. These results form the basis of a potential patient-specific protocol for cerebral axon transplantation after injury.