Overview on neurogenesis induced by organophosphate poisoning: results and perspectives

Nerve agents could be potentially used as during a conflict or a terrorist attack. If an emergency treatment is not provided after poisoning, irreversible brain damages and behavioural sequels are expected to appear. In vivo cell therapy seems to be a promising approach for delayed treatment to contribute to brain repair. A mobilization of endogenous neural progenitors would be the basis of such an approach. After migrating, these progenitors would engraft in damaged brain regions and subsequently differentiate into functional neurons. In this review, after a few reminders regarding nerve agent poisoning and the emergency treatment of such an intoxication, progresses in terms of cell therapy and its potential application to nerve agent-induced brain lesions are summarized.