The document is pretty technical, but they basically gave mice w/ms human stem cells and the mice improved motor skills and were able to move much better than before. Rather than having to engraft stem cells into a patient, which can be challenging from a medical standpoint, we might be able to develop a drug that can be used to deliver the therapy much more easily," noted Thomas Lane.
http://www.cell.com/stem-cell-report...711(14)00112-X
Using a viral model of the demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS), we show that intraspinal transplantation of human embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursor cells (hNPCs) results in sustained clinical recovery, although hNPCs were not detectable beyond day 8 posttransplantation. Improved motor skills were associated with a reduction in neuroinflammation, decreased demyelination, and enhanced remyelination.Further investigation of the restorative effects of hNPC transplantation may aid in the development of clinically relevant MS treatments.
We are still years away from this treatment being online, but it is always encouraging when scientists make strides into improving the quality of care (and life) for MS patients.
http://www.cell.com/stem-cell-report...711(14)00112-X
Using a viral model of the demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS), we show that intraspinal transplantation of human embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursor cells (hNPCs) results in sustained clinical recovery, although hNPCs were not detectable beyond day 8 posttransplantation. Improved motor skills were associated with a reduction in neuroinflammation, decreased demyelination, and enhanced remyelination.Further investigation of the restorative effects of hNPC transplantation may aid in the development of clinically relevant MS treatments.
We are still years away from this treatment being online, but it is always encouraging when scientists make strides into improving the quality of care (and life) for MS patients.
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