A new stem cell treatment that reboots the entire immune system is enabling multiple sclerosis sufferers to walk, run and even dance again, in results branded "miraculous" by doctors. Patients who have been wheelchair-bound for 10 years have regained the use of their legs in the ground-breaking therapy, while others who were blind can now see again. The treatment is the first to reverse the symptoms of MS, which is incurable, and affects about 100,000 people in Britain. The two dozen patients who are taking part in the trials at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, and Kings College Hospital, London, have effectively had their immune systems "rebooted". Although it is unclear what causes MS, some doctors believe that it is the immune system itself that attacks the brain and spinal cord, leading to inflammation pain, disability and, in severe cases, death. In the new treatment, specialists use a high dose of chemotherapy to knock out the immune system before rebuilding it with stem cells taken from the patient's own blood. "Since we started treating patients three years ago, some of the results we have seen have been miraculous," Prof Basil Sharrack, a consultant neurologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation … Continue reading →

In the new treatment, specialists use a high dose of chemotherapy to knock out the immune system before rebuilding it with stem cells taken from the patients own blood. Stem cells are so effective because they can become any cell in the body based on their environment. "Since we started treating patients three years ago, some of the results we have seen have been miraculous," Professor Basil Sharrack, a consultant neurologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, told The Sunday Times. "This is not a word I would use lightly, but we have seen profound neurological improvements." During the treatment, the patient's stem cells are harvested and stored. Then doctors use aggressive drugs which are usually given to cancer patients to completely destroy the immune system. The harvested stem cells are then infused back into the body where they start to grow new red and white blood cells within just two weeks. Within a month the immune system is back up and running fully and that is when patients begin to notice that they are recovering. Holly Drewry, 25, of Sheffield, was wheelchair bound after the birth of her daughter Isla, now two. But she claims the new treatment … Continue reading →

Published: Sunday, 3/1/2015 - Updated: 17 hours ago BY MARLENEHARRIS-TAYLOR BLADE STAFF WRITER Hockey legend Gordie Howes star power is raising awareness in the United States and Canada about advances in stem-cell therapies as he continues what is being called a miraculous recovery from a massive stroke. Those closest to him, including his son, Toledo radiologist Dr. Murray Howe, are convinced the former Detroit Red Wings player would have died if he had not traveled to a medical clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, for an experimental stem-cell treatment not yet available in the United States. After a debilitating stroke on Oct. 26, Mr. Howe, 86, had a few weeks of slight recovery, but then his health went downhill quickly, said Dr. Howe, director of sports medicine imaging for ProMedica Toledo Hospital. The family had started preparing for his funeral. But that all turned around after he had the adult stem-cell treatment on Dec. 8. If you saw him now, you wouldnt know he had a stroke, Dr. Howe said. Its been wonderful. Every day I would say hes a little bit better, and there are little hints of improvement. Certainly in the first month, every day his strength, coordination, and balance … Continue reading →

BOISE, Idaho (AP) Ten-year-old Alexis Carey has a rare but intractable form of epilepsy, Dravet Syndrome. The genetic disease causes severe and multiple seizures, which often leave parents guessing if the terror of watching their child seize up will pass or turn fatal. Her Boise, Idaho, family learned that oil extracted from marijuana had helped other children and wanted to see if it would help Alexis too. "Parent to parent, when you're in a small community and 10 people that you know are all having success, that's no longer anecdotal," Clare Carey, her mother, said. "That's hope." But Idaho's stringent marijuana laws do not allow for medicinal use. The family began lobbying lawmakers to decriminalize the oil almost two years ago. Now, they've got some legislative backers and an upcoming hearing, as Idaho joins a larger movement to loosen laws to allow the use of marijuana extract oil. Twelve states have legalized the oil while still banning medical marijuana. Virginia legalized the oil Feb. 26. In Utah, lawmakers have given initial approval to let those with chronic and debilitating diseases consume edible marijuana products, while still banning smoking. Marijuana extract oil first received attention when a Colorado family fought and … Continue reading →

Improved public awareness around the signs of stroke will now FAST-track more stroke survivors to hospital care, increasing their chances of survival and recovery. Last year a six-week stroke awareness campaign funded by the Ministry of Health was piloted in the Waikato. Research has shown that the campaigns advertising, which encouraged people to think FAST, doubled the number of Waikato residents who could identify the main signs of stroke. FAST is an easy way to remember the three main signs - Face drooping - Arm weakness - Speech difficulty and Time, reinforces the need to act FAST by calling 111 if a stroke is suspected. Stroke Foundation CEO, Mark Vivian said broader awareness of the signs of stroke through the FAST campaign could save New Zealand millions of dollars in healthcare-related costs, not to mention spare thousands of New Zealanders the pain and heartache that can arise when they or someone they love is seriously disabled for the rest of their lives. "One of the biggest challenges to improving survival and recovery after stroke is helping people to get faster diagnosis," said Mr Vivian "The Ministry of Health has made a significant investment into stroke services in hospitals, but this … Continue reading →

A FORMER acrobat whose rare disease leaves her unable to move other than to blink is seeking help from Chinese scientists. Despite careers as a trapeze artist and yoga teacher, Maxine Craik, of Beach Road, Mersea, lays paralysed by Spinocerebellar Ataxia. Her friends and carers are trying to raise 60,000 to send her to China where Nobel Prize winning doctors offer controversial stem-cell therapy, not available in the UK. She has an incurable brain disease which causes the body to shut down, but leaves the mind unaffected. Over the past year, Miss Craik, 49, has lost the ability to talk, walk, swallow and her eye sight is failing. The mum-of-one communicates by blinking as helpers use an alphabet board to spell messages. Jayne Richards, her personal carer for five years, said: Maxine can hear and understand everything that is said to her, but her only response is to almost wink. Imagine the horror and frustration. We have decided to try to raise enough money to take her to China so that she can undergo this potentially life-changing treatment, but, is not going to be cheap. But it is a glimmer of hope. Miss Richards began researching stem-cell therapy four years … Continue reading →