Canadian doctors have begun using stem cell transplants to treat stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological condition in which a patients leg and other muscles suddenly contract painfully, often leaving them immobilized like a tin soldier. The disorder, which affects an estimated one in a million people, occurs when the immune system turns against a persons own tissues, in this case attacking cells in the brain and spinal cord. Stem cell transplants have been used to treat patients with other auto-immune diseases, among them multiple sclerosis, scleroderma and Crohns disease, but this may be the first time the procedure has been employed to alleviate the symptoms of stiff person syndrome, or SPS, the researchers reported Monday in the journal JAMA Neurology. SPS is characterized by episodes of stiffness in the muscles and painful muscle spasms, which can be brought on by stress, loud noises or emotional distress. Some people with the disorder are so disabled they are unable to walk or move and may isolate themselves at home to avoid triggering an attack. Sometimes this happens when theyre startled, said Dr. Harry Atkins of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at the Ottawa Hospital, who headed a team that transplanted … Continue reading →

Sheryl Ubelacker, The Canadian Press Published Tuesday, August 26, 2014 6:45AM EDT TORONTO -- Canadian doctors have begun using stem cell transplants to treat "stiff person syndrome," a rare neurological condition in which a patient's leg and other muscles suddenly contract painfully, often leaving them immobilized like a tin soldier. The disorder, which affects an estimated one in a million people, occurs when the immune system turns against a person's own tissues, in this case attacking cells in the brain and spinal cord. Stem cell transplants have been used to treat patients with other auto-immune diseases, among them multiple sclerosis, scleroderma and Crohn's disease, but this may be the first time the procedure has been employed to alleviate the symptoms of stiff person syndrome, or SPS, the researchers reported Monday in the journal JAMA Neurology. SPS is characterized by episodes of stiffness in the muscles and painful muscle spasms, which can be brought on by stress, loud noises or emotional distress. Some people with the disorder are so disabled they are unable to walk or move and may isolate themselves at home to avoid triggering an attack. "Sometimes this happens when they're startled," said Dr. Harry Atkins of the Blood … Continue reading →

Q: My daughter plays college soccer and ruptured her ACL. The coaches mentioned stem-cell injections that some big-name athletes have used to recover from injuries. Should we consider them? Paige R., Chicago A: Professional athletes are always looking for the fastest way to heal their injuries. In 2010, Yankees pitcher Bartolo Colon was treated for a torn rotator cuff with injections of fat and bone-marrow adult stem cells; he's playing for the Mets this season. And in 2011, Denver Broncos' Peyton Manning opted for injections of his own fat stem cells to try to get over a neck injury. Two years later, he had a record-breaking season and took the Broncos to the Super Bowl. But does this mean the injections worked? Nope. Colon's agent attributes the pitcher's career turnaround to a rededication to the game, not the injections, and Manning followed up his stem-cell treatment with major surgery and intense rehab (done in secret). There's just no solid evidence yet that injections of adult bone marrow (or fat) stem cells effectively regenerate and repair damaged tendons or ligaments, and you cannot be certain of what the injections contain or their side effects. They often are delivered in an unregulated … Continue reading →

Comments(1) EPILEPTIC Tony Cartlidge was left with a fractured skull after yobs attacked him with a brick in an attempt to trigger a fit, he believes. Now the 23-year-old claims the incident in Northwood Park has left him fearful of leaving his house. Prior to the vicious attack Tony says he has been taunted by a group he claims have launched a nasty bullying campaign against him because of his condition. And following the traumatic incident Tony also claims to have been chased by a man wielding a machete. Police have confirmed one 48-year-old man was arrested following the ordeal on suspicion of affray. He has since been bailed. Unemployed Tony, of Eastbourne Road in Northwood, says he was left in agony after the brick was allegedly hurled over a fence by a teenager. He said: "I felt something hit my head and when I looked down a brick was on the floor. "There was blood all over me. They want me to have a fit." Tony, who lives with his mother, claims yobs are determined to make him suffer an epileptic fit after learning of the consequences. I'm constantly getting called a 'smackhead' because I shake on the floor … Continue reading →

Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise ST. LOUIS In a first of its kind clinical trial, Debra Zand, Ph.D., and her team at Saint Louis University, will run an intervention program to help parents address and manage their childrens challenging behaviors immediately after being diagnosed with autism. The pilot program, titled Primary Care Stepping Stones Positive Parenting Program or PCSS Triple P, will run at SSM Cardinal Glennon Childrens Medical Centers Knights of Columbus Child Development Center. Researchers will recruit 76 parents of children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder over the past year. The goal of this trial is to help parents identify and manage one or two of their childrens specific behavioral problems or developmental issues. This program represents a paradigm shift in how pediatricians provide care for children with autism and their families, says Zand, associate professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University and the principal investigator of the trial. Parents of children with autism often face tremendous emotional strains, changes in lifestyle and family dynamics associated with caring for their children. While facing wait lists and delays in treatment for their children, parents themselves receive little professional support in managing their childrens … Continue reading →