A British company has developed a treatment that will restore brain function and personality in stroke patients. Patients will receive a single injection of neural stem cells, when injected into the patient the cells migrate to areas of damage and begin to mature into brain cells, thus repairing any damage. The technique works because the damaged adult brain retains the capacity to use stem cells; therefore, if they are injected into the brain it can regenerate. The drug is expected to be on the market within six years; the company plan to use the technology to develop similar treatments for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: British Association Festival of Science, September 2000