Hope for Stroke Patients

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This month, an article in the The Guardian, an American based journal was published that may provide hope to millions who suffer from the number one killer worldwide, cardiovascular disease. Recently, it was discovered that human embryonic stem cells, which can be turned into any type of tissue, in this case, brain cells, were utilized. After being injected with growth factors, these cells were reproduced and propagated. This process enabled the cells to form early-stage brain cells called astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. These cells were further examined to ensure that any cancer-causing genes were ‘turned off.’

To test the cells, the researchers injected them into rats that had sustained strokes. The cells were observed moving through healthy areas of the brain and collected into damaged areas only. Here, the cells were observed connecting with adjacent healthy brain cells and tissues.

Following the test, at approximately four and eight weeks the scientists noted significant improvement in the animal’s movements, which previously limited all four-limb ability. This has proved a most important step that the transplanting of human stem cells to transform into human neural cells is possible.

Currently in Great Britain alone, approximately 130,000 individuals experience a stroke every year. With this type of research and progress, hopefully the number of life limiting stoke events will decrease dramatically in the near future. The development of studies in searching for stem cell procedures and treatments to help combat cardiovascular disease will continue to provide exciting information and possibilities for the future.

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