New Possibility for Treating Traumatic Brain Injury: Stem Cell Delivery Through the Nose Without Surgery

Professor Park Chanhum's Team at Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital
"Non-surgical Brain Injury Treatment"
Development of Nasal Stem Cell Delivery Technology
Introducing a New Paradigm for Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment

Park Chanheum, Director of the Microphysiology Systems Research Center at Hallym University Medical and Bio Convergence Research Institute. Provided by Hallym University

The research team led by Professor Park Chanhum (corresponding author) of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital has developed a non-invasive stem cell delivery technology capable of treating traumatic brain injuries caused by accidents or trauma without surgery. This innovation presents a new paradigm for brain treatment that moves away from traditional methods reliant on high-risk brain surgery, offering a safer approach that can be applied repeatedly.

Traumatic brain injury is a severe condition in which sudden impact causes damage or death to nerve cells, leading to cognitive and motor function decline. To date, there have been limited options for fundamentally restoring damaged brain function. Conventional treatment methods involving the direct injection of stem cells into the brain require invasive surgery and are limited by low cell survival rates.

To address these challenges, the research team focused on the "nasal delivery route," which enables direct delivery of drugs or cells to the brain via the nasal mucosa. Utilizing a bioreactor system, the team mass-cultivated stem cells and then manufactured them into neurospheres, high-functioning aggregates. These neurospheres were encapsulated in a special hydrogel containing silk protein (fibroin) and other components, and then administered through the nasal cavity. The core technology, "hydrogel encapsulation," protects the stem cells, improving their survival rate in the body. Furthermore, the various therapeutic factors secreted by the neurospheres are delivered to the injured area of the brain, maximizing treatment efficacy.

Graph comparing the therapeutic effects of stem cell treatments delivered through the nasal cavity. Provided by Hallym University

Rapid Recovery of Brain Function Confirmed in Animal Experiments

The research team verified the therapeutic effects of neurosphere stem cell treatment through animal experiments that simulated traumatic brain injuries similar to those occurring in actual accidents. The results showed that the treated group began to recover brain function within only three days, and after one week, their recovery rate was more than twice as fast as that of the untreated group.

Notably, substances related to recovery that had decreased due to damage in key brain areas responsible for memory and learning were restored to near-normal levels. As a result, dying brain cells were revived and new nerve cells were maintained, leading to the recovery of brain tissue.

Additionally, the accumulation of toxic substances and stress factors in the brain after injury was significantly reduced in the treated group, resulting in a detoxification effect on the damaged brain environment. Furthermore, the connections between brain cells remained stable, indicating that neural networks in the brain, which could have been disrupted by trauma, were preserved.

The research team explained that these findings demonstrate the potential for creating an environment in which the damaged brain can recover on its own, going beyond merely slowing the progression of injury.

Master Cell Bank System Process Image. Provided by Hallym University

Proven Potential for Large-Scale Production of Stem Cell Therapies

Furthermore, the research team successfully established a "Master Cell Bank" using a bioreactor system that enables the automated mass cultivation of stem cells. The Master Cell Bank stores "mesenchymal stem cells," the origin of neurospheres, in a safe manner, allowing for the repeated production of cells with identical performance. Through this system, it is now possible to reliably secure the required number of stem cells for treatment within a short period. The stem cells in the established cell bank are managed systematically, being frozen in small quantities and made available for use at any time with consistent quality.

The research team confirmed that the stored stem cells maintained their intrinsic properties and differentiation capabilities. This result demonstrates that the cells retain their efficacy and safety as a therapeutic product, even after large-scale production and storage, without any deterioration.

This study demonstrates both "product standardization" and the "possibility of large-scale production," which are essential for moving stem cell therapies beyond simple laboratory experiments and into real clinical practice.

Professor Park Chanhum stated, "This technology, which delivers stem cells through the nasal cavity without the need for dangerous brain surgery, is an innovative method that ensures both patient safety and treatment efficacy. We will expand its application beyond traumatic brain injury to include the treatment of various intractable brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease."

This research was published in January 2026 in the international journal "APL Bioengineering" (Impact Factor 4.1) under the title "Trans-septal delivery of hydrogel-encapsulated human umbilical cord MSC-derived neurospheres for acute neuroprotection in traumatic brain injury."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.