Cord Blood Cells Could Provide More Time for Stroke Treatment
Human umbilical cord blood cells could be used to treat stroke victims outside standard the three-hour window, according to University of South Florida researchers who presented the results at The Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in Washington, D.C..
The experimental treatment, which was administered to rats two days following a stroke, reduced inflammatory responses in the brain, limited stroke damage and lead to greater recovery.
“We were very surprised,” said principal investigator Alison Willing, a neuroscientist at the university’s Center for Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair. “In some animals, the stroke initially damaged half the brain, but after treatment with the cord blood cells they were functioning normally.”
The only drug currently approved for ischemic stroke treatment is tPA (tissue plasminogen activator), which breaks up blood clots. However, it must be given within three hours of a stroke to work.
Cord Blood stem cells could thus potentially save many more lives by giving doctors and paramedics more time to administer treatment. However I think there is more to it. They stated that in some animals treatment with cord blood cells recovered them even after half of their brain was damaged. I think cord blood cells are not just giving more time, it is actually repairing the damage.
November 22nd, 2005 at 8:33 am
[...] Not only Cord blood cells provides more time to treat stroke patients, it also improves heart function after stroke. More good news for heart patients this week as FDA approves stem cell trial for chronic ischemia. [...]
November 22nd, 2005 at 11:56 am
[...] Not only Cord blood cells provides more time to treat stroke patients, it also improves heart function after stroke. More good news for heart patients this week as FDA approves stem cell trial for chronic ischemia. [...]
December 5th, 2005 at 2:53 pm
The stem cells from the Cord only offer a short range of treatments. Why has it not been passed by our government that we utilize embyonic stem cells. These cells have the potential to be cultured into any specific cell in the body. Allowing science to possibly cure any of life’s ailments. Isnt it worth the funding
December 5th, 2005 at 11:36 pm
GT Ian,
> Allowing science to possibly cure any of life’s ailments. Isnt it worth the funding
Very much so.
Unfortunately the current Bush government is allowing religious agenda to suppress science.
Without government funding embryonic stem cell research cannopt prosper in US, thereby depriving US citizens of cure from several life-threatening and debilitating diseases and retarding the progress of science.
It is upto you as a citizen to highlight your concerns by communicating with your senate representative and urge him to promote embryonic stem cell funding effort.
December 16th, 2005 at 6:49 am
[...] Not only Cord blood cells provides more time to treat stroke patients, it also improves heart function after stroke. More good news for heart patients this week as FDA approves stem cell trial for chronic ischemia. [...]
October 25th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
Please carry on helping stroke victims because my dauughter is severly disabled by two strokes and I would like news of further progress on developing a cure.