Monday, May 26, 2008

VANCOUVER RESEARCHERS PIONEER SAFE PATHWAY TO SLOW ALS USING STEM CELLS

Source: The University of British Columbia
Date: May 26, 2008

Summary:

A unique pilot study has established a safe pathway for using bone-marrow stem cells to slow down and potentially treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease without cure. The study, published in the journal, Muscle & Nerve and led by Dr. Neil Cashman, professor of neurology at The University of British Columbia and director of the ALS program at Vancouver Coastal Health and VCH Research Institute, tested the use of a growth factor stimulant in ALS patients and found that bone-marrow stem cells became activated with no adverse effects to patients.