Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Post-Stroke Recovery
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a stroke occurs every two seconds globally. The most common type of stroke is brain infarction, which leads to neuron death and impaired brain function. Unfortunately, only 5% of stroke patients fully recover, while many others face long-term issues like weakness, chronic pain, or epilepsy. However, new research offers hope: scientists from the Gladstone Institute and SanBio have demonstrated that stem cell therapy can restore normal brain activity even a month after a stroke.
Unlike most treatments that require immediate intervention, stem cell therapy has shown positive results even with delayed treatment. Dr. Jeanne Paz from the Gladstone Institute reported that in experiments with rats, researchers were able to restore brain function weeks and even months after the stroke.
Previous studies with stem cells, modified for the treatment of stroke and brain injuries, have shown promising results in clinical trials. Some patients regained control of their movements. However, the underlying mechanisms for these improvements had not been well understood. This new research offers the first detailed explanation of how brain activity changes with stem cell therapy.
Mechanism of Stroke and Brain Activity Restoration
A brain infarct occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is blocked, leading to neuron death and disruption of normal brain function. Dr. Paz explained that damaged brain areas can become hyperactive, leading to movement problems and seizures. “This hyperactivity has been linked to movement disorders and seizures, but until now, there has been no effective way to reduce it,” said Dr. Paz.
In the study, scientists injected modified stem cells into the brains of rats that had suffered a stroke. After several weeks of observation, they found that the brain activity of the rats returned to normal. The number of proteins and cells essential for brain function increased. Despite fewer than 1% of the stem cells remaining in the rats’ organs after one week, the positive effects persisted for a long time. Additionally, inflammation markers in the animals’ blood decreased.
Stem Cell Therapy: Implications for Chronic Stroke Treatment
The researchers believe that these results could lead to new methods for treating the chronic consequences of stroke. If calming overactive neurons proves beneficial for patients, scientists plan to continue exploring this approach. They are also working on developing small-molecule drugs that mimic the effects of stem cells.
The modified stem cells SB623, used in the study, have already undergone clinical trials and were recently approved for the treatment of paralysis caused by brain injuries in Japan. SanBio, the company behind the development, plans to submit a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval.
