Researchers from Cardenal Herrera University
found a new way of repairing brain damage in mice. This type of treatment combines drug therapy
with cellular treatment with positive results.
They used stem cells from bone marrow and combined it with lipoic acid
(a potent antioxidant), which helped with neuroregeneration. Lipoic acid by itself was used to help treat
degenerative diseases (ex. multiple sclerosis, diabetic neuropathy). It also increases the creation of blood vessels,
thus increasing the cerebral immune response and the restoration of damaged
tissues. Stem cells from bone marrow
helps improve functions of the brain.
The
combined therapy of both drugs and cellular treatment, allow cells to
reproduce. They continue to reproduce even
after the bone marrow has disappeared (around 16 days), meaning brain tissue
was being regenerated due to the stem cell transplant. It helps target damaged area to give it a
foothold to build off of. Brain damage in
children is one of the leading causes of death/disability in third world
countries, this kind of treatment could help lower the number of cases.
The article
shows how far we have come with stem cell research. Combining with multiple techniques will
constantly advance our medical techniques.
My uncle has MS (multiple sclerosis) and I would definitely like to see
this become a common practice. Although
I believe it will still take some time to test the treatment on humans, I can
see this being used by doctors and medical professionals in the near future.
Related Article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277805.php
It's so great how far stem cell research has come along and it will only grow more and more in the upcoming years. Researchers could take this technique and use it for other forms of stem cell therapy as well which could be another great achievement for the medical field.
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