New Delhi, January 18 (IANS). A study has claimed that modified stem cells can help in the recovery of stroke survivors.
The most common type of stroke is called ischemic stroke. In this, only 5 percent of the survivors are able to recover completely. Stroke patients usually suffer from weakness, chronic pain, epilepsy and many other problems for a long time.
Gladstone Institute scientists reported on the basis of research that cell therapy derived from stem cells is capable of restoring normal patterns of brain activity after stroke. Most treatments are effective only when given soon after a stroke. This experiment was conducted on rats and the results of this research came out better after a month.
According to the research paper published in the journal Molecular Therapy, this is the first research done on the effect of stem cells on brain activity. The findings suggest that improvement may be possible with stem cell therapy.
In the new study, the team tested the new stem cell therapy in mice. This therapy has been in clinical trials for more than a decade to treat stroke and traumatic brain injury.
Clinical trials already indicate that stem cells may help some patients regain control of their arms and legs.
The team led by Jean Paz injected modified human stem cells into the animals' brains near the site of injury one month after they suffered a stroke. For this, scientists measured the electrical activity of the brain. It also analyzed individual cells and molecules.
Additionally, the treatment also increased the number of proteins and cells that are important for brain function and repair.
–IANS
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