Intrahippocampal transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells promotes neuroplasticity

This is the first study to examine the effects of intrahippocampal transplantation of allogeneic MSC on hippocampal structural plasticity and behavioral functions in rats combined with non-invasive cell tracking by MRI. We found that iron oxide nanoparticles can be used to detect transplanted MSC in the brain. Although graft survival was short, intrahippocampal transplantation of MSC resulted in long-term changes in hippocampal plasticity. Our results suggest that MSC can be used to stimulate adult neurogenesis.