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Cleveland researchers find key to stem-cell therapy for MS patients: Discoveries

Posted: Published on September 5th, 2012

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- One of the most promising and exciting treatment avenues for multiple sclerosis is the use of a patient's own stem cells to try to stop -- or even repair -- some of the disease's brain tissue damage. But injecting a patient with a dose of his or her own bone-marrow stem cells was actually a pretty crude method of treating the disease, because no one was quite sure how or why it worked. Last year, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and Case Western Reserve University began trying this for MS patients in a Phase 1 clinical trial after positive results were seen in mice. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheaths that surround and protect nerve cells. When myelin is damaged, the nerve cells are exposed and unable to do their job, which is sending signals to the brain and back. This results in the loss of motor skills, coordination and cognitive abilities. Like many other researchers using stem cells, the local group didn't know exactly how their treatment worked, but they knew that when they gave these human mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, … Continue reading →

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First Evidence that Adipose Stem Cell-Based Critical Limb Ischemia Treatment is Safe & Effective is published in …

Posted: Published on September 5th, 2012

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Korean researchers, reporting the results of a major study in the Circulation Journal, found that the transplantation adipose (fat) derived stem cells resulted in the regeneration of blood vessels in patients who were otherwise expecting to receive limb amputations due to damaged arteries and lack of blood circulation. Researchers at Pusan National University, led by Dr. Han Cheol Lee, describe how patients with critical limb ischemia (hereafter, CLI, example of which include Buerger's Disease and diabetic foot ulcers) were injected with adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell manufactured by RNL BIO. As a result of the remarkable adipose stem cell process of RNL BIO, researchers found that immediate new blood vessel generation was identified. (The title of article is "Safety and Effect of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cell Implantation in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia") CLI results from lack of circulation due to small artery damage and subsequent tissue necrosis. Patients with severe CLI often face limb amputation. Buerger's Disease, or diabetic foot ulcer, are of the same kind. Risk factors are diabetic mellitus, hypertension, high cholesterol and smoking. There is no known cure to date. Currently percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or PTA may treat 60-70% … Continue reading →

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Two UNC Faculty Receive Autism Centers of Excellence Grants for New Research

Posted: Published on September 4th, 2012

Newswise CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Two autism researchers in the University of North Carolina School of Medicine have each been awarded $12.6 million grants in the latest round of funding from the National Institutes of Healths Autism Centers of Excellence (ACE) research program. UNC, which was ranked No. 2 among the top 25 institutions in the world publishing autism research in 2010 by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee, is one of only two institutions that have received more than one Autism Centers of Excellence grant. These grants are further evidence that UNC has become one of the premier autism research institutions in the world, said Dr. Joseph Piven, recipient of a grant for a new round of research in the ongoing Infant Brain Imaging Study (IBIS) Network. The NIH created the Ace Program in 2007 to launch an intense and coordinated research program into the causes of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to find new treatments. The grant to Dr. Piven, Kenan Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, will be used to fund longitudinal brain imaging of a combined sample of 600 infants who are at high risk for later developing autism by virtue … Continue reading →

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The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Launch New Certification Program …

Posted: Published on September 4th, 2012

OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL--(Marketwire -09/04/12)- The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association announce the September 1, 2012 launch of their new Disease-Specific Care Advanced Certification Program for Comprehensive Stroke Centers. The goal of this new level of certification is to recognize the significant differences in resources, staff and training that are necessary for the treatment of complex stroke cases. The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association anticipate that, over time, municipalities and regions will develop a formal referral network so the most complicated stroke cases can be treated at the centers best equipped to provide the specialized care that can lead to the best possible outcomes for stroke patients. It is anticipated that there may be more than 200 certified comprehensive stroke centers in the U.S. over the next few years. "Stroke can be devastating, but the proper treatment program can make a tremendous difference for patients. The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stoke Association's advanced certification program will help health care organizations focus on the care processes that produce the best outcomes for complex stroke cases and give Americans who suffer a stroke confidence that these health care organizations are committed to … Continue reading →

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2 of 3 spinal injury patients see gains in stem cell trial

Posted: Published on September 4th, 2012

Interim results from three patients in an early-stage trial of StemCells Inc's experimental cell treatment for chronic spinal cord injury show that two of them experienced gains in "sensory function," the company said. StemCells is using neural stem cells, technically adult stem cells, taken from the partly developed brains of fetuses and tested for qualities showing they are destined to form particular types of nerve cells. The company said that six months after being infused with the cells all three patients have tolerated the transplantation well and there are no safety concerns. "We clearly need to collect more data to establish efficacy, but we are encouraged," Stephen Huhn, vice president at StemCells, said in a statement. He also said the company is pushing ahead with plans to dose patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries. The initial phase of the trial involved patients with complete injuries and no neurological function below the level of the spinal injury. Changes in sensitivity to touch, heat and electrical stimuli were observed in areas below the level of injury in two of the patients, while no changes were seen in the third patient, the company said. View post: 2 of 3 spinal injury patients see … Continue reading →

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PropThink: Interim Data In Spinal Cord Injury Driving STEM Higher; PSTI Reacting in Sympathy

Posted: Published on September 4th, 2012

This morning, StemCells, Inc. (STEM) released six-month interim results for the first group of patients in its Phase I/II trial, testing the company`s HuCNS-SC (human neural stem cells) treatment candidate in patients with spinal cord injury - previous coverage available here. Shares are trading up nearly 20% in pre-market, and are likely to maintain momentum on the positive news. The interim data showed that thus far, HuCNS-SC treatment led to considerable gains in sensory function in two of three patients vs. their baseline levels of sensation prior to cell transplantation. The company also noted that the treatment continues to exhibit a favorable safety profile. The trial represents the first time that neural stem cells have been transplanted as a potential therapeutic agent for spinal cord injury, and the sensory gains observed have developed in a progressive pattern below the level of injury. Impressively, gains in sensation are not generally expected in spinal cord injury patients, particularly given the severity of injury seen in patients admitted to the Phase I/II study. According to STEM, sensory function of all patients observed thus far was stable before cell transplantation, therefore, the reappearance of sensation is a very positive sign that the treatment is … Continue reading →

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Researchers looks at brain changes in Parkinson's

Posted: Published on September 4th, 2012

A Canterbury University study is believed to be the first in the world to use an advanced technique that could help identify the early onset of dementia in people with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is the second-most common degenerative disorder, after Alzheimer's disease, but many Parkinson's patients will also be diagnosed with dementia as a result of the disease. The Canterbury study, which involved 101 Parkinson's patients and 25 healthy people, used a new technique to allow researchers to look at the brain while the patient was still alive to identify cell changes in the thalamus - a part of the brain involved in all aspects of function, except smell processing. Previously, such brain changes in Parkinson's patients could be found only during the late stages of the disease. There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but methods to treat the motor and cognitive symptoms could significantly improve a patient's quality of life and are more effective if started as early as possible. Canterbury PhD student Nadia Borlase, who is working with the New Zealand Brain Research Institute and the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation on the project, said the researchers used advanced neurological imaging to identify the subtle brain changes … Continue reading →

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Researchers look at brain changes in Parkinson's

Posted: Published on September 4th, 2012

ADVANCED APPROACH: Canterbury PhD student Nadia Borlase is carrying out research on identifying dementia after the onset of Parkinson's disease. A University of Canterbury study is believed to be the first in the world to use an advanced technique that could help identify the early onset of dementia in people with Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is the second-most common degenerative disorder, after Alzheimer's disease, but many Parkinson's patients will also be diagnosed with dementia as a result of the disease. The Canterbury study, which involved 101 Parkinson's patients and 25 healthy people, used a new technique to allow researchers to look at the brain while the patient was still alive to identify cell changes in the thalamus - a part of the brain involved in all aspects of function, except smell processing. Previously, such brain changes in Parkinson's patients could be found only during the late stages of the disease. There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, but methods to treat the motor and cognitive symptoms could significantly improve a patient's quality of life and are more effective if started as early as possible. Canterbury PhD student Nadia Borlase, who is working with the New Zealand Brain Research Institute and … Continue reading →

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Breakthrough in Treatment of Cerebral Palsy & Other Neuromuscular Disorders

Posted: Published on September 4th, 2012

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich., Sept. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Thirteen children diagnosed with neuromuscular issues ranging from severe hypotonia to athetoid cerebral palsy/dystonia are experiencing "dramatic improvement" thanks to a new protocol being advocated by the Preemie Growth Project. Executive Director and Founder Ida Briggs reports the breakthrough treatment was initially discovered last year when a 9-month old severely hypotonic boy diagnosed with cerebral palsy went from twelve pounds to twenty-two in under ten weeks, and then took his first steps while using the Preemie Growth Project "preemie protocol." This year a 9-year old girl, born at 26 weeks weighing 1 pound, 11 ounces, diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy had "dramatic improvement" which included healthy weight gain, increased strength and hyperspastic hands becoming normal, among other improvements. Additional patients were recruited, with similar results. The protocol uses micronutrient supplementation, relying on the "Textbook of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition," edited by Dr. Stefano Guandalini, for the explanation of the protocol's efficacy. The key passage, per Ms. Briggs, is on page 631: "The infant born prematurely is at increased risk for developing trace mineral deficiencies. Premature birth is associated with low stores at birth, because accretion of trace minerals takes place during the … Continue reading →

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Nate Redman wants people to know why he's in a wheelchair

Posted: Published on September 4th, 2012

DENVER - Ataxia, it's a condition that you probably have never heard of. It can rob a person of sight, speech and coordination. Nate Redman knows all about it. It's why he is promoting a 5K Run, Walk-N-Roll Sunday at City Park. The condition has been passed down in Nate's family for generations, but has struck him the hardest. Before Ataxia, Nate was an athlete and a fun-loving, normal teenager. Now he struggles to complete almost every task in life but still stays active through rehab at Craig Hospital. He also skis with the Winter Park Disabled Ski program. He went to China several years ago for stem cell therapy because it's illegal in this country. It worked well, but only for about a month. Nate and his family are hoping to educate people about Ataxia and to raise some money for research. Right now, there's no real treatment and no cure. The event is Sunday, September 9 at City Park at 8 a.m. A $30 donation is suggested. For more information, log onto denverataxiawalk.org (KUSA-TV 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation) Go here to see the original: Nate Redman wants people to know why he's in a wheelchair … Continue reading →

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