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Stem Cell Treatment Found Effective For Rare Brain Disorder

Posted by samzenpus on from the we-can-grow-him-better dept.

sciencehabit writes "Four young boys with a rare, fatal brain condition have made it through a dangerous ordeal. Scientists have safely transplanted human neural stem cells into their brains. Twelve months after the surgeries, the boys have more myelin—a fatty insulating protein that coats nerve fibers and speeds up electric signals between neurons—and show improved brain function, a new study in Science Translational Medicine reports. The preliminary trial paves the way for future research into potential stem cell treatments for the disorder, which overlaps with more common diseases such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis."

2 of 43 comments (clear)

  1. Once again by azcoyote · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Adult stem cells FTW. Embryonic stem cells are not necessary.

    --
    Incipiamus, fratres, servire Domino Deo, quia hucusque vix vel parum in nullo profecimus.
  2. FYI by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The disease is early-onset Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease.

    If you were new here, you might have thought that would have made it into the summary.