Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Neuralstem Stem Cells Extend Life of Rats With Animal Model of ALS

Source: MARKET WIRE
Posted: October 16, 2006

Summary:

Human neural stem cells (hNSCs) developed by Neuralstem, Inc. significantly extended the life of rats with a genetic mutation that gives them a disease similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and delayed disease onset, a paper published in the current issue of the journal Transplantation (http://www.transplantjournal.com) reported. The transplanted stem cells, derived from human fetal spinal cord tissue, survived well in the neurodegenerative spinal cord environment, integrated with host cells and delivered neuroprotective factors to the diseased motor neurons.

Commentary: These findings might provide the basis for developing an effective ALS treatment in humans if they can be successfully replicated in a large and heterogenous patient population.

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