Stem cell funding ban overturned in the US

In a 2-1 decision, a panel of the court of appeals in Washington overturned a judge’s order that would have blocked federal financing of stem cell research. [...]

• Caroline says: This is good news for a variety of chronic diseases, not just MS. The potential for stem cells to be highly beneficial or even curative in the treatment of many disabling diseases is staggering -- of course, this outcome is still years away. But we've taken the first step towards a result.
   

• Related Links:
• http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42821180/ns/health-cloning_and_stem_cells/…

• Stem cells have been stimulated to regenerate the myelin sheath that is damaged in MS

  MS could be reversed by activating stem cells in brain, new study suggests Scientists have shown that the damage caused to nerve cells in multiple sclerosis could [...]

  • Caroline says: All of today's MS treatments address symptoms -- that is, they don't repair any damage. A new study in the UK has found the cell development route that turns brain and spinal cord stem cells into myelin-making cells (in rats and mice). If this same pathway could be switched on by drugs in humans, the cells could potentially regenerate the damaged myelin sheaths around the nerve fibers of MS patients.
     
  • Related Links:
  • http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/dec/05/ms-activating-stem-cells-brain…
  
  

  • World’s first stem cell trial for stroke patients

    The elderly man was injected with roughly two million neural stem cells at Southern General Hospital in Glasgow. They hope the stem cells will help the man [...]

    • Caroline says: Stem cells are a very promising hope for many patients, not just those with MS of course. This article is important because it marks the first trial to test the safety and feasibility of stem cell implantation.
       
    • Related Links:
    • http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8137163/Worlds-first-stem-cell-tria…
    
    

    • MS, fat cells, and YOU!

      Medistem Reports Positive Multiple Sclerosis Data Using Fat Stem Cells Medistem Inc. (PINKSHEETS: MEDS) announced today publication of a peer reviewed paper describing the scientific rationale and [...]

      • Caroline says: Stem cells have certainly been everywhere these days...and if you had any qualms about embryonic stem cell use (which, if you have MS or another chronic illness is just odd) Biotech company Medistem has announced preliminary results of a 3-person trial of adults using their own stem-cell rich adipose tissue called the Stromal Vascular Fraction, which can concurrently immune modulate, while inducing regenerative activities. Wow, so I could be cured of MS and get liposuction in one sitting? Where do I sign up? Obviously, this is VERY preliminary.
         
      
      

      • MORE PROMISING: Stem Cell Breakthrough May Lead to MS Treatments

        THURSDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) — U.S. scientists say they’ve coaxed human embryonic stem cells into generating cells that might someday be used to repair nerves damaged [...]

        • Caroline says: Fresh and promising. Researchers have figured out how to make human embryonic stem cells into oligodendrocytes, which are the cells that produce myelin, the fatty sheath that surrounds your your nerve fibers. In MS, myelin breaks down and is replaced by scar tissue, resulting in disability. We'll see how this progresses...but I'm very hopeful.
           
        
        

        • PROMISING: Genetically Modified Stem Cells Treat Autoimmune Disease

          GM stem cells treat autoimmune disease Thursday, 9 April 2009 Wendy Zukerman ABC // Mice with a human equivalent of multiple sclerosis have been successfully treated using [...]

          • Caroline says: I had to read this article more than once to understand what the study was, but I think I've got it: Australian scientists gave mice EAE, the animal equivalent of MS, and then injected them with genetically modified stem cells, resulting in complete remission of their EAE. This is potentially very promising, but human clinical trials won't be possible for quite some time. Before the stem cells can be transplanted, it is necessary to wipe out the immune system of the subject, so the scientists are now looking at other ways to do this.
             
          
          

          • Stem Cells are Back in the Game!

            Obama reverses Bush stem cell ban By JONATHAN MARTIN | 3/9/09 12:11 PM EDT Updated: 3/9/09 3:43 PM EDT President Barack Obama Monday rescinded the Bush administration’s [...]

            • Caroline says: Regardless of your election-day-politics, your MS-everyday-politics should be delighted and very hopeful about this decision.