Wonderful news for those of us who have suffered permanent damage from stroke!!!!!

From: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/health/010802_he_stroke_cells.html

Repairing Stroke's Side Effects

Life After A Stroke
Stroke survivors must often contend with debilitating after-effects. Since a stroke suddenly deprives the brain of oxygenated blood, nerve cells within the brain die. The results can include paralysis, speech problems, and memory impairment. Up until recently, physical therapy was the treatment of choice, but this method offers only limited effectiveness. Many stroke patients have simply had to live with their condition.

A New Treatment
Doctors at Stanford University Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have embarked on a clinical trial testing a radical new treatment for post-stroke patients. The procedure involves the transplanting of neuronal cells into the stroke-damaged portion of the patient's brain. Once there, doctors say it appears the cells either convert into new nerve cells to replace those killed off by the stroke or stimulate the brain to repair itself in other ways.

Although the precise method of effectiveness is not yet known, doctors say it is clear the procedure works. "I think it's too early to really make a definitive statement. However, we are encouraged by the fact that the patients who have received the transplant have shown significant improvement," says Gary Steinberg, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon at Stanford University Medical Center and co-director of the study. So far, nine patients have been admitted into the study. All patients receive physical therapy, and seven patients also received the transplant. The procedure involves the injection of primitive neurons through a tiny hole in the patient's skull. Although the cells are derived from a tumor of an 18-year-old patient, there is no chance the cells can cause new tumors. The patients, who remain awake during the procedure, report little pain.

Success So Far
Doctors are extremely encouraged by the patients' recovery so far. One patient, a stroke victim in his mid-50s, reported dramatic improvement just months after receiving the treatment. "At first I had some sensory return in my fingertips. But then, about three and a half months, I started walking better. It was amazing, " says Bill Parent, who now walks with only a slightly noticeable limp. Prior to his transplant, Parent saw only minor improvement with the help of physical therapy.

The Future
The study is currently in phase II and researchers say, eventually, a third phase at several centers around the country will be necessary to determine the effectiveness of the procedure. The protocol for acceptance into the trial is extremely rigorous, as patients must have had strokes that were neither too mild nor too severe for the treatment to be effective. Dr. Steinberg says if all continues well, the nerve cell transplant procedure could be widely employed within the next few years.

Thanks DJ! It sounds very promising.I have just begun to consider the possibility that Kahtleen may never have functional movement of her right arm.It has been two yrs now and she struggles to lift it to her nose. and her hand is fisted.This is so hard because Kathleen has so many struggles already because of the Down Syndrome. This really cheered me up knowing that somewhere down the road it may be possible to still help her get back what she has lost. THANKS DJ!
Mary Grace

hi dj,

thanks for the posting. it sounds very promising. i am goig to send my mri's and angios to dr. steinberg for review. basically, i want to know 2 things:

1. is it possible to have both moya moya and ms. iam getting a spinal tap today. i've never directly spoken to dr. steinberg so should i send him everything? i know he must be busy with all his commitments.

2. if i qualify for the study. to this day, i can't walk but for a few steps before my legs give out.

again, thanks for the post. it's given all of us a sense of hope.

dw1

Damnit Nancy, don't make me cry too!  I'm supposed to be the stong one here!???

Get ahold of them and see if they are still doing the study and if Mandy qualifies!

-Me

D.J,
             I sent Dr. Steinberg and Theresa an E-Mail when I posted the post before this one, as soon as I was done talking to Mark. I'm sure it will take a little time to look at her all her films and make a determination. I'm so glad her films are already there that should help to speed it up. Mandy is very interested and excited about it too. I just hope her strokes were'nt to severe. We'll see. I'll let you know when they contact me.
                         Nancy