UTHealth Houston’s Trial Shows Promising Outcomes Using Bone Marrow Cells for Pediatric Brain Injury – BNN Breaking

UTHealth Houstons Trial Shows Promising Outcomes Using Bone Marrow Cells for Pediatric Brain Injury

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children, a leading cause of death and disability, may have met its match. A recent Phase II clinical trial led by Charles S. Cox Jr., MD, and Linda Ewing-Cobbs, PhD, from UTHealth Houston, has revealed encouraging results. The team used autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells to treat TBI, yielding promising results in terms of safety, feasibility, and notably, improved cognitive functions.

The study, published in the distinguished medical journal Brain, has shown that this innovative treatment aids significantly in the preservation of white matter in the brain. The white matter is crucial for cognitive functions, and its preservation is a massive leap in TBI treatment. Moreover, the therapy also enhanced the connectivity of the corpus callosum, thereby boosting higher-order thinking abilities in children.

The trial scrutinized 47 patients aged 5 to 17 in a double-blind, placebo-controlled manner. The clinical study was conducted at two childrens hospitals located in Houston, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona. The treatment, which must be administered within 48 hours post-injury, indicated its potential for improving outcomes for these young patients. Notably, the procedure was well-tolerated with no significant adverse effects reported.

The researchers suggest that this cellular therapy could decrease the chronic neurobehavioral problems associated with severe TBI. The potential improvement in the quality of life for children and adolescents is a beacon of hope in this field. The research team, riding on the success of the Phase II trial, is now planning a Phase III clinical trial to further investigate the treatments effectiveness. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Glassell Family Foundation, among other sources. As such, the findings present a glimmer of hope for reducing the negative outcomes associated with severe TBI globally.

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UTHealth Houston's Trial Shows Promising Outcomes Using Bone Marrow Cells for Pediatric Brain Injury - BNN Breaking