Boca Raton parents Gary and Judy Susser say they know the hope and promise of stem-cell therapy. Nine years ago they traveled to Mexico for stem cell injections for their son Adam, who has cerebral palsy. "Maybe it will do some good," Gary Susser said he and his wife thought at the time. They spent $25,000. But the Sussers stopped stem cell injections in 2005, after spending about $25,000 and seeing no improvement. Now armed with more information, the Sussers are grateful the treatments didn't harm Adam, now 12. While they are advocates of "responsible" stem cell research, they warn other parents against making trips to Costa Rica, Mexico, Russia or other offshore clinics for experimental treatments. With promising breakthroughs making the news, as well as Internet hype, desperate parents and seriously ill patients may look to stem-cell therapy as the modern miracle that could cure them. And one day, stem cells may be routinely used to repair damaged cells, improve the treatment of diseases and even cure paralysis. But there are hidden dangers to today's stem cell treatments, both in the U.S. and offshore, scientists said at the recent World Stem Cell Summit in West Palm Beach. They pointed … Continue reading →

Therapies Treatments for Autism/Asperger's Syndrome 15 Simple Solutions for the Most Challenging Symptoms of Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. autismparenthood.com There are an overwhelming number of treatments, therapies and clams that have potential to help your loved one on the autism spectrum. Finally, a guide that sorts through autism therapies making them simple to understand. New Hope for Autism is chock full of innovative and proven techniques to help you navigate these and other challenges with ease. Take a look for yourself: * Doctors agree that early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders is important ... Learn which symptoms you should be most alert for. * It is sometimes hard to recognize the difference between odd behavior and serious symptoms of autism. These missed milestones are clear flags that your child should be tested. * The 3 legal requirements of early interventions laws ... and how they can help pay for your child's care. * Should you vaccinate your child? 9 Tips for safer vaccinations. * ABA and Floortime are tried and true therapies as long as you can afford to pay for them and can find a qualified therapist ... learn the secrets to do both. * Use … Continue reading →

Sydney, Jan 5 (IANS) Scientists have now created a new vision test that tracks the response of stroke patients to different colours and assesses which part of the brain has been damaged - increasing the chances of survival. Strokes are the world's sixth commonest cause of death, accounting for almost five percent of all fatalities, according to WHO figures. The test requires patients to look into a device for about 10 minutes, enabling it to be used in the early stages of a stroke - even if the patient cannot move their limbs or speak, the journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science reported. This can help doctors diagnose and treat the stroke quickly and accurately, which is vital, as early treatment can greatly improve a person's chances of survival and recovery, said Corinne Carle and Ted Maddess, professors at The Vision Centre of The Australian National University. "Our new test automatically tracks the response of the patient's eye pupils to different colours, and can show doctors whether the injury is located in the evolutionarily 'new brain' or the 'old brain'," Carle said, according to a Vision Centre statement. "The distinction is important because the 'old brain', or midbrain, controls things … Continue reading →

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani is responding well to treatment in Germany after suffering a stroke and has moved on to rehabilitation, his office said in a statement on Saturday. Talabani, 79, travelled to Berlin last month after what state television reported was a stroke, the latest in a series of health problems he has suffered in recent years. "The medical team that treated President Jalal Talabani confirmed that his excellency's health is good, and his response to the treatment has been excellent," a statement on the Iraqi presidency's website said. "He has passed the difficult stages faster than expected, and that has allowed for ... moving to several rehabilitation procedures." Germany, Europe's top economy, has a number of world-class medical institutions and foreign dignitaries frequently seek out clinics in the country for care. Talabani's health has major political implications in Iraq, where he has sought to bring together various feuding politicians, Sunni and Shiite Muslims, and Arabs and Kurds. Talabani, who was born in November 1933, underwent successful heart surgery in the United States in August 2008. The previous year, he was evacuated to neighbouring Jordan for treatment for dehydration and exhaustion. He has also travelled to clinics in Europe … Continue reading →