Blobs of human brain cells cultivated in the lab, known as brain organoids or mini-brains, are transforming our understanding of neural development and disease. Now, researchers are working to make them more like the real thing

By Clare Wilson

Neil Webb

A DOZEN tiny, creamy balls are suspended in a dish of clear, pink liquid. Seen with the naked eye, they are amorphous blobs. But under a powerful microscope, and with some clever staining, their internal complexity is revealed: intricate whorls and layers of red, blue and green.

These are human brain cells, complete with branching outgrowths that have connected with one other, sparking electrical impulses. This is the stuff that thoughts are made of. And yet, these collections of cells were made in a laboratory in this case, in the lab of Madeline Lancaster at the University of Cambridge.

The structures, known as brain organoids or sometimes mini-brains, hold immense promise for helping us understand the brain. They have already produced fresh insights into how this most mysterious organ functions, how it differs in people with autism and how it goes awry in conditions such as dementia and motor neurone disease. They have even been made to grow primitive eyes.

To truly fulfill the potential of mini-brains, however, neuroscientists want to make them bigger and more complex. Some are attempting to grow them with blood vessels. Others are fusing two organoids, each mimicking a different part of the brain. Should they succeed, their lab-grown brains could model development and disease in the real thing in greater detail than ever before, paving the way to new insights and treatments.

But as researchers seek to make mini-brains genuinely worthy of the name, they move ever closer to a crucial question: at what point will their creations approach sentience?

The key to developing organoids was the discovery of stem cells,

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What lab-grown cerebral organoids are revealing about the brain - New Scientist

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on What lab-grown cerebral organoids are revealing about the brain – New Scientist | July 25th, 2022

After a meeting like the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting, one cannot help but be reinvigorated to continue advancing cancer care and feel optimistic about the future of oncology, says John M. Burke, MD.

After seeing all the amazing presentations at the American Society of Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, I cannot help but reflect on how far our field has come over the course of my 20-year career.

In 2000, I moved from San Francisco, California, to New York, New York, to begin my fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. My first rotation was on the inpatient myeloma, lymphoma, and autologous stem cell transplant service, where I encountered patients with myeloma and painful bone lesions causing fractures and spinal cord compressions. We treated patients with myeloma with chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant. Thalidomide (Thalomid) was starting to make a splash by showing strong efficacy in myeloma trials, and bortezomib (Velcade) emerged during those years, as well.

Nevertheless, the state of the art was exemplified by an article in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2003, describing the results of an Intergroupe Francophone du Mylome (IFM) trial. Myeloma patients were treated with vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone induction followed by single or double autologous stem cell transplant. The median event-free survival was 2 years and the median overall survival was 4 years, which seem grim by modern standards.

Fast forward about 20 years to the Plenary Session of the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting, at which we saw the results of modern therapy in the DETERMINATION trial (NCT01208662). Patients treated with the modern standard regimen of lenalidomide (Revlimid), bortezomib, and dexamethasone followed by autologous stem cell transplant achieved a median progression-free survival of 5.5 years. In the IFM trial 20 years ago, approximately 50% of patients were alive at 4 years. In DETERMINATION, 85% of patients were alive at 4 years. Weve come a long way.

DETERMINATION represents only an infinitesimal fraction of the degree of innovation demonstrated at the ASCO meeting: an antibody-drug conjugate besting conventional chemotherapy in patients with low expression of the HER2 target in breast cancer; a KRAS inhibitor demonstrating marked activity in KRAS-mutated nonsmall cell lung cancer; a bispecific antibody redirecting T cells to suppress diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; an antibody-drug conjugate added to chemotherapy, extending survival in Hodgkin lymphoma compared with the decades-old standard-of-care regimen; and a checkpoint inhibitor rendering mismatch repairdeficient rectal cancer completely helpless.

After a meeting like this, one cannot help but be reinvigorated to continue advancing cancer care and feel optimistic about the future of oncology. We have a lot of progress to celebrateand a lot more to accomplish.

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Global Stem Cell ManufacturingMarket Is Expected To Reach USD 21.71 Billion By 2029 At A CAGR Of 9.1 percent.

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Global Stem Cell ManufacturingMarket Scope:

The report provides comprehensive market insights for industry stakeholders, including an explanation of complicated market data in simple language, the industrys history and present situation, as well as expected market size and trends. The research investigates all industry categories, with an emphasis on key companies such as market leaders, followers, and new entrants. The paper includes a full PESTLE analysis for each country. A thorough picture of the competitive landscape of major competitors in theGlobal Stem Cell Manufacturingmarket by goods and services, revenue, financial situation, portfolio, growth plans, and geographical presence makes the study an investors guide.

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Global Stem Cell Manufacturing Market Overview:

Observing stem cells evolve into cells in bones, the circulatory system, nerve cells, and other organs of the body may help scientists understand how illnesses and disorders occur. Stem cells can be programmed to generate particular cells that can be utilized in humans to grow and mend tissues that have been damaged or harmed by sickness. Stem cell therapy may assist people with spinal cord injuries, metabolic disorders, Parkinsons disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimers disease, cardiovascular disorders, brain hemorrhage, burns, malignancy, and rheumatoid arthritis. Stem cells can be used to create new tissue for transplant and genetic engineering. Doctors are always learning more about stem cells and how they might be used in transplant and cellular therapies.

Global Stem Cell ManufacturingMarketDynamics:

Stem cells are crucial in illness treatment and specialized research initiatives such as customized therapy and genetic testing. As public and commercial stakeholders throughout the world become more aware of stem cells therapeutic potential and the scarcity of therapeutic approaches for rare illnesses, they are increasingly focusing on the development of stem cell-based technology.

Specialized procedures are required for stem cell separation, refinement, and storage (such as expansion, differentiation, cell culture media preparation, and cryopreservation). Additionally, the production scale-up of stem cell lines and associated items is frequently accompanied by major technological challenges that impede the whole production process and result in large operational expenses. As a result, stem cell products are frequently more expensive than pharmaceutical medications and biopharmaceuticals.

Additionally, the growing popularity of tailored medications is driving the market growth. Scientists are researching novel procurement strategies that can be used to manufacture tailored medications. For example, iPSC treatments are created by taking a little amount of a patients plasma or skin cells and reprogramming them to make new cells and tissue for transplant. As a result, future tailored treatments can be produced using these cells.

Global Stem Cell ManufacturingMarketRegional Insights:

North America (particularly the United States) held the largest market share in 2021, owing to factors such as the availability of significant contenders active in creating stem cell treatments, enhanced medical facilities, significant R&D financial backing available, and favorable initiatives from healthcare organizations, as well as robust reimbursement. Because of government initiatives and serious scientific activity in the country, the United States leads the continentsGlobal Stem Cell Manufacturingmarket.

Healthcare organizations are promoting cellular therapies for rising ailments. Due to higher advancement of stem cell-based treatments, federal actions for creating regenerative medications, the creation of multiple stem cell banks, and the continents increasing clinical studies for genetic manipulation and medical technology, the APACGlobal Stem Cell Manufacturingmarket is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period.

Global Stem Cell ManufacturingMarketSegmentation:

By Product:

By Application:

By Technology:

By Therapy:

Global Stem Cell ManufacturingMarket Key Competitors:

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Global Stem Cell Manufacturing Market Value Projected To Reach USD 21.71 Billion By 2029, Registering A CAGR Of 9.1% - Digital Journal

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Stem Cell Therapy Market Is Expected To Reach USD455.61 Billion By 2027 At A CAGR Of 16 percent.

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Stem Cell Therapy Market Scope:

The report provides comprehensive market insights for industry stakeholders, including an explanation of complicated market data in simple language, the industrys history and present situation, as well as expected market size and trends. The research investigates all industry categories, with an emphasis on key companies such as market leaders, followers, and new entrants. The paper includes a full PESTLE analysis for each country. A thorough picture of the competitive landscape of major competitors in the Stem Cell Therapy market by goods and services, revenue, financial situation, portfolio, growth plans, and geographical presence makes the study an investors guide.

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Stem Cell Therapy Market Overview:

Stem cells, which are the most important in the body, exist in both humans and animals. Stem cells, which may multiply and grow into almost any cell type in the body, are employed in surgery and medicine. There are two types of stem cells: adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are stem cells derived from human embryos (ESCs). They are pluripotent, which means they can develop into practically any type of cell in the body. Regenerative medicine or cornerstone treatment are other terms for stem cell therapy. Regenerative medicines can restore cells and replace those that have been damaged or killed.

Mesenchymal stem cells may penetrate and integrate into different organs, heal cardiovascular, lung, and spinal cord injuries, and ameliorate the condition of autoimmune illnesses, liver disorders, and bone and cartilage diseases. Stem cells are an effective therapy option for infections induced by inflammation, immune system failure, or tissue degradation.

Stem Cell Therapy MarketDynamics:

The use of stem cells in regenerative medicine, notably in dermatology, is likely to drive significant growth in the global Stem Cell Therapy Market during the forecasted period. Additionally, increased oncology use, as a result of a large number of pipeline medications under development for the treatment of tumors or malignancies, would move the market ahead. The stem cell business is expected to flourish in the future as the number of regenerative medicine clinics increases. Moreover, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases has assisted the growth of the stem cell treatment sector.

Long work hours, a lack of physical activity, and unhealthy eating and drinking habits all lead to the development of chronic diseases and need stem cell therapy. Moreover, the growing death rate from chronic diseases throughout the world is expected to propel the worldwide Stem Cell Therapy Market ahead. Additionally, the growing popularity of personalized pharmaceuticals is driving the worldwide Stem Cell Therapy Market. Researchers have identified new procurement strategies that can be used to generate personalized pharmaceuticals.

Because stem cells are generated by killing human embryos, they raise several ethical concerns. Human embryos are recognized as potential life, and eliminating them, even if they can save a human life, is considered immoral. Concerns about using embryonic stem cells to develop stem cell therapies are restricting the global market growth.

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Stem Cell Therapy MarketRegional Insights:

The market for stem cell treatment was dominated by North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe. This geographical segments significant share of the stem cell therapy market can be attributed to increased public-private financing and research grants for producing safe and effective stem cell treatment products, as well as the growing number of clinical trials, as well as North Americas major share of the stem cell therapy market with increased sales of stem cell therapy.

Stem Cell Therapy MarketSegmentation:

By Treatment:

By Therapeutic Application:

By Cell Source:

By End users:

Stem Cell Therapy Market Key Competitors:

About Maximize Market Research:

Maximize Market Research is a multifaceted market research and consulting company with professionals from several industries. Some of the industries we cover include medical devices, pharmaceutical manufacturers, science and engineering, electronic components, industrial equipment, technology and communication, cars and automobiles, chemical products and substances, general merchandise, beverages, personal care, and automated systems. To mention a few, we provide market-verified industry estimations, technical trend analysis, crucial market research, strategic advice, competition analysis, production and demand analysis, and client impact studies.

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Stem Cell Therapy Market Is Expected To Reach USD 455.61 Billion By 2027 At A CAGR Of 16 percent By Forecast 2027 Says Maximize Market Research (MMR)...

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Salvatore Viscomi always wanted to be involved in a science fiction project and he found one.

Viscomi is the chief medical officer of GoodCell, a Massachusetts-based startup where people can bank their own white blood cells with a simple blood draw. Labs can then tweak those cells to become what are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

Already sounds like the premise of a novella, right? Well those iPSCs are where things get really fantastical: those cells can become any type of cell in the human body.

There lies in the therapy, Viscomi, who initially was involved in GoodCell as an investor and advisor before becoming CMO, tells Freethink.

Specific white blood cells can be turned into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) cells which can become any type of cell in the body.

The new stem cells could be made into pancreatic cells to treat diabetes, blood cells to replace those ravaged by leukemia, or neurons to treat brain disorders, according to UCLAs Broad Stem Cell Research Center.

While the white blood cells that can become iPSCs called peripheral blood mononuclear cells, or PBMCs can come from donors or the patients own bone marrow, both have drawbacks.

Donor cells, like any transplant, may require immunosuppression to prevent rejection, which can leave recipients vulnerable to infections. (A particularly acute issue now, with the invisible war with pathogens going hot all around us.)

And extracting cells from the bone marrow involves anesthesia and long needles nothing near as simple as a blood draw.

Now, we dont have to make that difficult decision, Viscomi says.

Finding your potential: Human iPSCs were first created in Japan in 2007. Kyoto University researcher Shinya Yamanaka received a Nobel Prize for his work with University of Cambridges John B. Gurdon, which discovered how to turn adult cells back into stem cells.

According to a recent article by Yamanaka, as of September 2020, clinical trials of iPSC therapies are currently in the works for Parkinsons, heart failure, spinal cord injury, macular degeneration a very common vision disorder in those over 50 and cancer immunotherapy, among sundry others.

There are, however, challenges to be overcome before iPSCs can find their way to patients.

As of September 2020, clinical trials of iPSC therapies are currently in the works for Parkinsons, heart failure, and spinal cord injury, among sundry others.

There is the potential that the stem cells will proliferate beyond what we want them to, leading to tumors. The body may reject even its own stem cells, with conflicting experiments in mice finding possible evidence of rejection, possibly due to abnormal expression of genes in the new cells.

Theres another challenge as well: the ability to crank out enough iPSCs needed for therapies to be practical.

Despite all of that, however, pluripotent stem cells like iPSCs provide unprecedented opportunities for cell therapies against intractable diseases and injuries, Yamanaka wrote.

Banking on yourself: Banking your cells ahead of time can help ensure the cells are as young and healthy as possible, as they do deteriorate with age, Viscomi says.

To bank your own cells, GoodCell requires a 40cc blood draw, the minimum amount required for producing enough iPSCs. Customers receive a draw kit from GoodCell, which they can take to a lab their current partner is Quest or have a phlebotomist do it at home.

That sample is sent to GoodCells laboratory, where the white blood cells that can become iPSCs are isolated, extracted, and slowly frozen (to avoid damaging them).

Theyre stored at really super cold temperatures, Viscomi says. Its a slow freezing process, really kind of a proprietary way of storing them in the best way we know today in terms of keeping them viable.

GoodCell stores the white blood cells for potential use in future stem cell therapies.

If members request it, the company can also run genetic tests for heritable conditions on the material in the sample, which they will test for actionable conditions only, Viscomi says. Tests for non-heritable genetic changes are currently being developed.

Were taking a really comprehensive look at personalized medicine, Viscomi says.

Because of the potentially sensitive nature of the samples, all uses of the patients data must be opted in to, Viscomi says, while the stem cells banks themselves are hardened, bunkers outfitted with cameras, backup power supplies, and designed to resist natural disasters. The privacy systems were tested across a two year beta period.

GoodCell officially began offering personal stem cell banking services on June 6.

Wed love to hear from you! If you have a comment about this article or if you have a tip for a future Freethink story, please email us at tips@freethink.com.

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This startup wants you to have a personal stem cell stash - Freethink

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The parents of a 12-year-old boy who's on life support are appealing the decision of the UK Royal Courts of Justice to remove his oxygen and other life-sustaining treatment. They're taking their case to a Court of Appeal hearing in London on Wednesday.

As CBN News reported earlier this month, Family Division of the High Court Judge Emma Arbuthnot ruled "on the balance of probabilities" Archie Battersbee had already died after doctors told the court "it was highly likely" he was "brain stem dead."

Archie's mother and father, Holly Dance and Paul Battersbee are trying to give their son every chance at life after he was found unconscious on April 7 with a cord around his neck. He reportedly had participated in what is believed to be an online blackout challenge, according to watchdog Christian Concern.

The boy has remained on life support at the Royal London Hospital and has not regained consciousness.

Judge Arbuthnot ordered, "Medical professionals at the Royal London Hospital (1) to cease to ventilate mechanically Archie Battersbee; (2) to extubate Archie Battersbee; (3) to cease the administration of medication to Archie Battersbee, and (4) not to attempt any cardio or pulmonary resuscitation on Archie Battersbee when cardiac output ceases or respiratory effort ceases."

"The steps I have set out above are lawful," the judge contended. But she also gave Archie's mother and father, Holly Dance and Paul Battersbee permission to appeal her ruling.

Arbuthnot said there was a "compelling reason" why appeal judges should consider the case, according to ITV News.

According to Christian Concern, this is believed to be the first time that someone in the UK has been declared 'likely' to be dead based on an MRI test.

At a High Court hearing about Archie's case on June 20, Christian Legal Centre attorney Edward Devereux QC argued that evidence should instead show 'beyond reasonable doubt', as in criminal proceedings, that Archie is dead, rather than using a balance of probabilities test.

Archie's parents have been fighting a legal battle to give their son more time and to allow him to have more medical tests to assess whether his condition improves before making the decision about withdrawing his life support.

In a statement, Archie's mother, Hollie, and sister-in-law, Ella Carter, asked: "If Archie can be pronounced dead via an MRI, which is outside the bounds of the law, then what's going to be next?"

They also thanked everyone for the support the family has received from around the world.

"Archie's words, if he was sitting next to me right now, would be 'it melts my heart' and I'll use those words now, because everyone's support does melt my heart. So, thank you and please continue to support us in this fight," the statement said.

Proof of Life?

Archie's parents say a video of him gripping his mother's fingers is proof that he's still alive and his brain is functioning.

But his doctors believe there's no hope for the boy to recover since they believe his brain stem is dead. Scans reportedly show blood is not flowing to the area, according to Sky News. The stem lies at the base of the brain above the spinal cord. It is responsible for regulating most of the body's automatic functions essential for life. Doctors previously said Archie's stem is 50% damaged and that 10% to 20% of the stem is in necrosis where cells have died and/or are decaying.

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Lawyers for the Barts Health NHS Trust said that doctors have repeatedly recreated the moment of the boy holding a clinician's hand, but the hospital workers said it was just "friction" not a grip, which the doctors say is consistent with muscle stiffness.

Eminent Pediatric Neurologist Testified About Cases of Persons Diagnosed as 'Brain Dead' Who Later Recovered

Dr. D. Alan Shewmon, M.D., professor emeritus of Neurology and Pediatrics at the University of California, gave expert testimony about numerous documented cases where persons diagnosed as 'brain dead' subsequently recovered.

When asked whether there was sufficient evidence for a reliable diagnosis of death in Archie's case, Shewmon replied, "Absolutely not."

An online petition to the hospital's chief executive officer has been created to ask that legal action be withdrawn in Archie's case. So far, more than 89,000 people have signed it.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up on the boy's behalf. So far, the account has raised 29,042 GBP (or approximately $35,479 in U.S. dollars).

Archie's mom told Christian Concern earlier this month that the judge's ruling that he's "likely" to be dead is not good enough.

"Basing this judgment on an MRI test and that he is 'likely' to be dead, is not good enough. This is believed to be the first time that someone has been declared 'likely' to be dead based on an MRI test," she explained.

"The medical expert opinion presented in Court was clear in that the whole concept of 'brain death' is now discredited, and in any event, Archie cannot be reliably diagnosed as brain-dead," Dance continued.

She reiterated that she does not believe her son has been given enough time to heal.

"I do not believe Archie has been given enough time. From the beginning, I have always thought 'why the rush?' His heart is still beating, he has gripped my hand, and as his mother, I know he is still in there," she noted.

"Until it's God's way, I won't accept he should go. I know of miracles when people have come back from being brain dead," Dance said.

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said in a statement that Archie's case has raised "significant moral, legal and medical questions as to when a person is dead."

"Archie's parents believe that the time and manner of his death should be determined by God and claim a right to pray for a miracle until and unless that happens. That belief must be respected. The ideology of 'dignity in death', meaning a planned time of death as fixed and carried out by the doctors, should not be brutally imposed on families who do not believe in it," Williams said.

"We will continue to stand with the family as they appeal the ruling and continue to pray for a miracle," she concluded.

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Parents of 12-Year-Old Boy Praying for a Miracle, Appealing UK Judge's Decision to Remove Life Support - CBN.com

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The end of Roe v. Wade will not only jeopardize access to abortion in many states, it could have wide-ranging and unpredictable consequences for medical care, including fertility treatment, contraception, and cancer care.

This post-Roe world will be, in many ways, a new era for medical care in the United States, one that could transform medical services for conditions that range far beyond pregnancy, either by making them illegal or by putting their legality in question.

The consequences are unpredictable. Michelle Banker, director of reproductive rights and health litigation at the National Womens Law Center, told me in an interview before Fridays decision that the effect on other types of health care will depend upon the answers to open and untested questions in US courts. Some of it will rest on how judges will interpret new state abortion bans. States could also be emboldened by the Supreme Courts ruling to pass new legislation that restricts other medical services.

History would suggest places that outlaw abortion tend to have less access to other reproductive care as well. In Ireland, which only recently legalized abortion, there is still less access to in vitro fertilization and certain contraceptives than in the rest of Europe, even after abortion became legal. In the US, a health system that is already fractured will become even more so, limiting access to medical care particularly for marginalized patients. Whether you can get certain health care services may be predicated on where you live (or whether you can afford to travel).

The breadth of the potential health care consequences is so broad, Banker said. The first place to start is this is going to result in the death of pregnant people.

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rates among wealthy nations; Black Americans have a significantly higher mortality rate than anywhere else in the developed world. The risk of death from carrying a pregnancy to term is much higher than the risk of death from undergoing an abortion. One estimate puts the number of forced birth in the first year after Roe is overturned at 75,000; the maternal mortality rate in the US is about 1 in 10,000.

The impact the end of Roe could have on pregnancy care could reach much further. As the Atlantics Sarah Zhang wrote, pregnant women undergo genetic and other tests throughout their pregnancy, meant to assess the health of the fetus and identify any anomalies that could be fatal or life-altering. In some cases, parents who learn about these anomalies choose abortion. But that may no longer be so simple if abortion is now outlawed or severely limited. Decisions about whether to get genetic testing and when could be affected.

By the same token, most abortion bans would carve out exceptions if the health of the mother were in jeopardy. But whether a complication represents a life-threatening risk to the mothers health is in part a judgment call on the part of her doctor and the possibility of legal consequences could make the cost of mistakes much higher.

At the very least, there may well be a chilling effect due to providers and patients uncertainty as to whether treatment could expose them to civil or criminal liability, Banker said.

Fetal personhood laws that convey constitutional protections to unborn fetuses would further limit a pregnant persons choices in medical care. Several states have attempted to pass such a law, but they have thus far been held up by the courts. This new post-Roe jurisprudence could embolden those states and others to put such measures into place. Law enforcement or private citizens, depending on the state law, could bring complaints. The recently signed Texas law, for example, deputizes private citizens by creating a financial incentive for them to take civil action against people who seek or provide abortions.

Or, in a less extreme example, what happens if a pregnant person is also receiving cancer treatment or taking mental health medication that could affect the health of their fetus? If they stop receiving that medical care, their health could be in danger. But if they continue to receive it, the fetus could be affected. What are they and their doctor supposed to do?

The laws that criminalize abortion are going to impact medical decision-making, and thats terrifying, Banker said.

Supporters of abortion rights fear that, unchained by the Supreme Court, states could push deeper and deeper into the lives of pregnant women and the decisions they make about how to conduct themselves.

People have been arrested for substance use during pregnancy, based on reasoning that they are harming the growth of the pregnancy. Tennessee passed the first law permitting the prosecution of pregnant women who use drugs. That alone is objectionable to people who oppose a criminalized approach to substance use. But they also worry that such laws are just the tip of the iceberg in a post-Roe reality. Could a pregnant woman be charged with a crime if she drinks a glass of wine? Or if she goes on a hiking trip that a complainant thinks would imperil the health of her fetus?

These questions will be answered by the specifics of state laws and the discretion of prosecutors in different places. But they are questions that were unfathomable just a few months ago.

How far down this path could states go? said Elizabeth Nash, who tracks state policy at the Guttmacher Institute, in an interview before Fridays Supreme Court ruling. That might sound a bit far-fetched to people but we have seen states take drastic actions in relation for some pregnant people.

Beyond medical care during pregnancy, the end of Roe could usher in a wave of new restrictions on access to contraception and fertility treatment.

The right to contraception is currently upheld by two previous Supreme Court decisions: Griswold v. Connecticut enshrined the right for married people and Eisenstadt v. Baird did the same for unmarried people.

But the current Court is clearly not bound by those precedents if they are willing to overturn Roe v. Wade. And some prominent Republicans, such as Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), have referred to those prior court decisions as constitutionally unsound in the days since the Alito draft leaked.

That puts case law in jeopardy because it relies on this idea that rights not specifically named in the Constitution are only entitled to special protection if they are deeply rooted in the nations traditions, Banker said.

Other experts I spoke to agreed. The stage is very much set for state legislators to ban contraception if they want to, Sean Tipton, who works on policy issues at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, told me before the Supreme Court ruled.

Would state legislators want to ban condoms or even birth control pills? Maybe not. But new laws or even state abortion bans could target other kinds of birth control.

Many of these states want to define the beginning of life as early as possible in the biological process. Oklahoma, for one, passed a law that recognized an unborn childs life as beginning at fertilization. Other states describe the moment of conception. But, as Tipton pointed out, the early stages of pregnancy are, medically speaking, a process. There is not a single moment of conception.

But if states define life in such a way, then contraceptives that could prevent a fertilized egg from becoming implanted could be under threat.

IUDs and the morning-after pill would be threatened under such a legal regime. In the vast majority of cases, IUDs work by preventing fertilization: the sperm and the egg never meet in the first place. But they also might prevent implantation under certain circumstances. There is also some controversy about whether Plan B, the morning-after pill, prevents fertilization in the first place or whether it blocks the implantation of a fertilized egg. The latter could arguably be illegal in states that recognize life at fertilization. Lawmakers in Idaho, for example, announced hearings on whether to ban emergency contraceptives and possibly IUDs before the Supreme Court had even issued its final ruling.

Then there are fertility treatments particularly in vitro fertilization that depend on fostering a larger number of eggs but typically only use a small number of them. If an embryo is conferred the same rights as a toddler, are those procedures suddenly illegal?

As Tipton put it to me, what if a doctor puts 199 embryos in a freezer for IVF treatment, and 198 of them come out of the freezer okay? Does that mean a homicide has been committed? he said.

Experts imagine other possible restrictions on procedures like IVF, particularly in states that define life as beginning at conception or fertilization. That alone could put IVF in legal jeopardy. States could also institute new restrictions on those procedures, now that the right to privacy has been redefined. Maybe the number of embryos could be limited. Maybe state legislators restrict which people are allowed to avail themselves of those services to only straight married couples, for example.

And while there is a tension between ostensibly pro-life politicians restricting access to fertility care, there is an expectation that anti-abortion advocates would be willing to let these medical services be collateral damage in order to achieve the goal of outlawing abortion.

Most right-to-life proponents are not interested in doing anything to hurt fertility patients, Tipton said. But theyre very willing to throw those patients under the bus to end abortion.

The new jurisprudence could also affect access to health care that has nothing to do with pregnancy or reproduction, experts say.

Medical care for people undergoing a gender transition would be one possible casualty. The decision in particular puts gender-affirming care in its crosshairs, Banker said.

In the opinion, Alito cited a 1974 decision, Geduldig v. Aiello, that takes what Banker calls a very narrow and cramped view of what constitutes sex discrimination. For Alitos purposes, that narrow view of sex discrimination supports the argument that banning abortion would not constitute discrimination against pregnant people on the basis of sex.

But Banker says the same logic could be applied to gender-affirming health care such as surgery or hormonal treatments. If the Supreme Courts definition of sex discrimination is now much narrower than it used to be, then opponents of those services could argue that denying a person gender-affirming medical care is not actually discriminatory.

Those arguments are easily refuted under modern precedent, Banker told me. But the drafts language and citation to Geduldig raises concerns that we may see those arguments gain more traction.

Old battles over medical research or treatment could also resurface, Tipton said. Modern science has developed treatments for spinal cord injuries, myelofibrosis, and even certain cancers by relying on stem cells. More treatments are in clinical trials right now. But their prospects could be compromised if access to those materials is limited. Some stem cells are collected from adult body tissue, but others come from embryos.

Much of this will depend on how aggressive anti-abortion advocates decide to be, and on the success of abortion rights advocates in mounting a political and legal response to a ruling overturning Roe.

But it will undoubtedly be a new era for health care in the United States, with potentially devastating consequences for patients with a wide array of medical needs.

Originally posted here:
The end of Roe v. Wade affects more than just abortion - Vox.com

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on The end of Roe v. Wade affects more than just abortion – Vox.com | June 30th, 2022

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) today announced that it has submitted a regulatory filing to the Brazil National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) for UPLIZNA for the treatment of adult patients with anti-aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G seropositive (AQP4-IgG+) neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

This regulatory submission is an important milestone as we continue to expand our commitment to NMOSD patients around the world, said Vikram Karnani, executive vice president and president, international operations, Horizon. NMOSD is a devastating disease with unpredictable attacks, which can result in potential loss of vision and motor function. We are hopeful that we can bring a potential new treatment option to the estimated ten thousand people living with NMOSD in Brazil.

In the N-MOmentum Phase 3 clinical trial, the largest NMOSD trial to date, UPLIZNA demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of an NMOSD attack with only two infusions per year, following the initial two loading doses. Additionally, 89% of patients in the AQP4-IgG+ group remained attack-free during the six-month period post-treatment and 83% of patients on treatment remained attack-free for at least four years.1,2

UPLIZNA was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2020, by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in March 2021 and by the European Commission (EC) in April 2022. Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation has the rights to develop and commercialize UPLIZNA in Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan. Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Company Limited, another strategic partner to Horizon, has also recently received manufacturing and marketing approval from the National Medical Products Administration of the Peoples Republic of China for UPLIZNA.

About Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)

NMOSD is a unifying term for neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and related syndromes. NMOSD is a rare, severe, relapsing, neuroinflammatory autoimmune disease that attacks the optic nerve, spinal cord, brain and brain stem.3-4 Approximately 80% of all patients with NMOSD test positive for anti-AQP4 antibodies.5 AQP4-IgG binds primarily to astrocytes in the central nervous system and triggers an escalating immune response that results in lesion formation and astrocyte death.6

Anti-AQP4 autoantibodies are produced by plasmablasts and plasma cells. These B-cell populations are central to NMOSD disease pathogenesis, and a large proportion of these cells express CD19.7 Depletion of these CD19 B cells is thought to remove an important contributor to inflammation, lesion formation and astrocyte damage. Clinically, this damage presents as an NMOSD attack, which can involve the optic nerve, spinal cord and brain.6-8 Loss of vision, paralysis, loss of sensation, bladder and bowel dysfunction, nerve pain and respiratory failure can all be manifestations of the disease.9 Each NMOSD attack can lead to further cumulative damage and disability.10,11 NMOSD occurs more commonly in women and may be more common in individuals of African and Asian descent.12,13

About UPLIZNA (inebilizumab-cdon)

INDICATION

UPLIZNA is indicated for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in adult patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

UPLIZNA is contraindicated in patients with:

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Infusion Reactions: UPLIZNA can cause infusion reactions, which can include headache, nausea, somnolence, dyspnea, fever, myalgia, rash or other symptoms. Infusion reactions were most common with the first infusion but were also observed during subsequent infusions. Administer pre-medication with a corticosteroid, an antihistamine and an anti-pyretic.

Infections: The most common infections reported by UPLIZNA-treated patients in the randomized and open-label periods included urinary tract infection (20%), nasopharyngitis (13%), upper respiratory tract infection (8%) and influenza (7%). Delay UPLIZNA administration in patients with an active infection until the infection is resolved.

Increased immunosuppressive effects are possible if combining UPLIZNA with another immunosuppressive therapy.

The risk of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) reactivation has been observed with other B-cell-depleting antibodies. Perform HBV screening in all patients before initiation of treatment with UPLIZNA. Do not administer to patients with active hepatitis.

Although no confirmed cases of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) were identified in UPLIZNA clinical trials, JC virus infection resulting in PML has been observed in patients treated with other B-cell-depleting antibodies and other therapies that affect immune competence. At the first sign or symptom suggestive of PML, withhold UPLIZNA and perform an appropriate diagnostic evaluation.

Patients should be evaluated for tuberculosis risk factors and tested for latent infection prior to initiating UPLIZNA.

Vaccination with live-attenuated or live vaccines is not recommended during treatment and after discontinuation, until B-cell repletion.

Reduction in Immunoglobulins: There may be a progressive and prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia or decline in the levels of total and individual immunoglobulins such as immunoglobulins G and M (IgG and IgM) with continued UPLIZNA treatment. Monitor the level of immunoglobulins at the beginning, during, and after discontinuation of treatment with UPLIZNA until B-cell repletion especially in patients with opportunistic or recurrent infections.

Fetal Risk: May cause fetal harm based on animal data. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use an effective method of contraception during treatment and for 6 months after stopping UPLIZNA.

Adverse Reactions: The most common adverse reactions (at least 10% of patients treated with UPLIZNA and greater than placebo) were urinary tract infection and arthralgia.

For additional information on UPLIZNA, please see the Full Prescribing Information at http://www.UPLIZNA.com.

About Horizon

Horizon is a global biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of medicines that address critical needs for people impacted by rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases. Our pipeline is purposeful: We apply scientific expertise and courage to bring clinically meaningful therapies to patients. We believe science and compassion must work together to transform lives. For more information on how we go to incredible lengths to impact lives, visit http://www.horizontherapeutics.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements related to potential regulatory approval of UPLIZNA in Brazil and the potential benefits of UPLIZNA to patients in Brazil. These forward-looking statements are based on management expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release, and actual results may differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. These factors include the risk that UPLIZNA does not receive regulatory approval in Brazil, whether, if regulatory approval is received, UPLIZNA will be successfully commercialized in Brazil, and those risks detailed from time-to-time under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Horizons filings and reports with the SEC. Horizon undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information.

References

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Horizon Therapeutics plc Submits Regulatory Filing for UPLIZNA (inebilizumab) in Brazil - Business Wire

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Horizon Therapeutics plc Submits Regulatory Filing for UPLIZNA (inebilizumab) in Brazil – Business Wire | June 20th, 2022

Abstract: Electrical stimulation influences neural stem cell neurogenesis. We analyzed the effects of electrical stimulation on neurogenesis in rodent spinal cord-derived neural stem cells (SC-NSCs) in vitro and in vivo and evaluated functional recovery and neural circuitry improvements with electrical stimulation using a rodent spinal cord injury (SCI) model. Rats (20 rats/group) were assigned to a sham (Group 1), SCI only (Group 2), SCI + electrode implant without stimulation (Group 3), and SCI + electrode with stimulation (Group 4) groups to count total SC-NSCs and differentiated neurons and evaluate morphological changes in differentiated neurons. Further, the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores were analyzed, and the motor and somatosensory evoked potentials in all rats were monitored. In vitro, biphasic electrical currents increased SC-NSC proliferation and neuronal differentiation and caused qualitative morphological changes in differentiated neurons. Electrical stimulation promoted SC-NSC proliferation and neuronal differentiation and improved functional outcomes and neural circuitry in SCI models. Increased Wnt3, Wnt7, and -catenin protein levels were also observed after electrical stimulation. In conclusion, our study proved the beneficial effects of electrical stimulation on SCI. We believe that Wnt/-catenin pathway activation may be associated with this relationship between electrical stimulation and neuronal regeneration after SCI.

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Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Spinal Cord Injury: In Vitro and In Vivo Analysis - Newswise

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Effect of Electrical Stimulation on Spinal Cord Injury: In Vitro and In Vivo Analysis – Newswise | June 11th, 2022

A 12-year-old boy's parents in the United Kingdom are trying to keep him hooked up to life support systems after doctors have said they believe he is "brain stem dead."

Archie Battersbee's mother and father, Holly Dance and Paul Battersbee want to give their son every chance at life after he was found unconscious on April 7 with a ligature around his neck. He reportedly had participated in what is believed to be an online blackout challenge, according to watchdog Christian Concern.

The boy is in critical condition at the Royal London Hospital.

His parents say a video of Archie gripping his mother's fingers is proof that he's still alive and his brain is functioning.

But his doctors believe there's no hope for the boy to recover since they believe his brain stem is dead. Scans show blood is not flowing to the area, according to Sky News. The stem lies at the base of the brain above the spinal cord. It is responsible for regulating most of the body's automatic functions essential for life. Doctors have said Archie's stem is 50% damaged and that 10% to 20% of the stem is in necrosis - where cells have died and/or are decaying.

Lawyers for the Barts Health NHS Trust said that doctors have repeatedly recreated the moment of the boy holding a clinician's hand, but the hospital workers felt "friction" not a grip, which the doctors say is consistent with muscle stiffness.

The hospital group has asked the Family Division of the High Court to rule that it is in Archie's 'best interests' to die by removing life support. However, Archie's family is not convinced that he is brain dead. They have experienced behavior that contradicts what the hospital first told them, and have also seen stories of remarkable recoveries from similar conditions in other patients, according to Christian Concern.

A High Court judge will decide if the boy will be taken off life support.

On Thursday, Archie's mother sat down for an interview with Christian Concern. She said she's fighting to keep her son alive.

Archie's mother Holly also told Sky News her son has not been given enough time to recover from his brain injury. "I don't understand the rush," she said. "I know they haven't got a lot of beds in hospital, but I don't understand the rush."

"I know he's in there and I know all that child needs is time. My gut instinct is spot on. My child is in there. He needs time to heal," she said.

An online petition to the hospital's chief executive officer has been created to ask that legal action be withdrawn in Archie's case. So far, almost 68,000 people have signed it.

Watch Christian Concern's video about Archie Battersbee below:

***Please sign up forCBN Newslettersand download theCBN News appto ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

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UK Judge to Decide if 12-Year-Old Will Be Removed from Life Support, Parents Beg for More Time to Heal - CBN.com

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on UK Judge to Decide if 12-Year-Old Will Be Removed from Life Support, Parents Beg for More Time to Heal – CBN.com | June 11th, 2022

Newswise LOS ANGELES (June 9, 2022) --Investigators from Cedars-Sinai will present the latest novel stem cell and regenerative medicine research at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Annual Meeting, which is being held in person and virtually June 15-19 in San Francisco.

At this years scientific forum,Clive Svendsen, PhD, a renowned scientist and executive director of theCedars-SinaiBoard of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute, willassume the role as treasurerfor the organization. In this position, he will be working with leading scientists, clinicians, business leaders, ethicists, and educators to pursue the common goal of advancing stem cell research and its translation to the clinic.

Along with taking on this leadership role, Svendsens work on a combination stem cell-gene therapy for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, afatal neurological disorder known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, was selected as a Breakthrough Clinical Advances abstract and one ofthe years most compelling pieces of stem cell science. Svendsen will present data from the first spinal cord trial and a synopsis of the ongoing cortical trial and the potential impact this may have on this devastating disease.

The breakthrough oral session, A new trial transplanting neural progenitors modified to release GDNF into the motor cortex of patients with ALS, takes place on Thursday, June 16, from 5:15 to 7 p.m. The presentation is part of the Biotech, Pharma and AcademiaBringing Stem Cells to Patients Clinical Applications track.

Through this highly collaborative work, we hope to develop new therapeutic options for patients with such a debilitating and deadly disease, said Svendsen, who is also the Kerry and Simone Vickar Family Foundation Distinguished Chair in Regenerative Medicine.

All abstracts are embargoed until the start of each individual presentation.

Additional noteworthy presentations featuring Cedars-Sinai investigators at ISSCR 2022 include:

FollowCedars-Sinai Academic Medicineon Twitterfor more on the latest basic science and clinical research from Cedars-Sinai.

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First-of-its-Kind Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Highlighted at Annual Stem Cell Meeting - Newswise

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on First-of-its-Kind Stem Cell and Gene Therapy Highlighted at Annual Stem Cell Meeting – Newswise | June 11th, 2022

Neurosurgeons, researchers and engineers have come together to make it possible for a man who's a quadriplegic to drive a car using his brain.

On a track in Colorado Springs, racing thoughts and motor function have deeper meaning.

Quadriplegic German Aldana Zuniga lost movement after a car accident when he was 16 years old.

Now, he's the first patient to drive with his brain.

He can pull out of pit row, punch the throttle and speed away using only his mind and technology.

It all started with a question in 2013. Spinal cord neurosurgeon Dr. Scott Falci wondered, Could you modify a race car so people with spinal cord injuries can drive it?

"A large portion of this population that I was dealing with had a love affair for automobiles, cars, motor sports," Dr. Falci said. "I want to get spinal cord injured patients and just mobility-impaired patients in a race car where they can drive it themselves and just for the fun and the motivation and the inspiration that it would provide."

It could also serve as a real time lab. Engineers developed a modified driving system, using data from rides to improve the tech.

States away the Miami Project to end paralysis had their own research question: Could an FDA approved brain device for Parkinsons patients work for quadriplegics?

This is where Zuniga comes in. Miami Project doctors implanted that brain device in him and made a glove that connects with it.

Biomedical engineer Kevin Davis is part of the team.

Whenever hes thinking about moving his arm, we can detect a difference in the neural activity and that difference is what allows us to control external devices," Davis said.

The scientists joined forces with a new goal to combine both technologies.

"If we could harness the computational power of the brain, we could really take this quite far," Dr. Falci said.

Mind driving works like this: Zuniga forms a thought, like "open or look forward."

In the brain, that thought is a special signal with a unique electrical fingerprint. A part on the implanted device on top of his brain detects that signal and feeds it to computers in the car. Those computers are programmed to understand open and look forward and push the throttle and drive the car away.

Engineers swapped software code from Colorado to Florida while Zuniga drove a simulator for over a year. When it the time came for the real car:

"Its not even close, its totally different," Zuniga said. "You see the track, how big it is, the noise of the car, the heat of it."

"Over here when that is blue, hes thinking throttle off, when he goes green hes thinking throttle on, and youll see the numbers go up," Dr. Harry Direen said.

It's eight laps total, 850 horsepower, one quick water break.

Its the first time Zuniga has ever driven. He became a quadriplegic before he could get a drivers license.

"Once youre on the road, you feel the rush, the adrenaline," Zuniga said. "The track feels so short. I feel good, I feel fantastic, very happy."

The data from the track lab will go to improve the next ride, plus practical applications like controlling an electric wheelchair or an robotic prosthetic.

Dr. Falci is also researching how to restore spinal cord function with stem cells. It could bring back movement and feeling in the body.

"Regenerating the spinal cord, because that's the healthiest of all conditions," Dr. Falci said. "The more we can do for them or help them do on their own, the independence gained and the quality of life just goes up dramatically."

The road ahead for full restoration is a long one.

Dr. Falci has already spent 29 years working on it, but hes not gassed.

No matter how many more trips around the track it may take, theres one willing patient ready to propel forward.

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Racing Thoughts: Quadriplegic Man Drives Race Car With His Brain - Newsy

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Racing Thoughts: Quadriplegic Man Drives Race Car With His Brain – Newsy | May 29th, 2022

Vertigo refers to a false sense of motion that can occur regardless of whether a person is moving. It is not a condition in itself but a possible symptom of several medical conditions.

Physical therapy may help a person reduce or eliminate vertigo. However, they should first speak with a doctor who can determine the underlying cause.

Once the doctor has confirmed a diagnosis, they may recommend physical therapy to help improve the persons symptoms.

This article explains how physical therapy can help people who experience vertigo. It also looks at exercises that a person can try at home and explains how to find a physical therapist.

Vertigo refers to a sensation of motion that is unrelated to the persons actions, and it typically presents as a spinning sensation. It may sometimes make a person feel as though their surroundings are spinning around them.

Vertigo is a symptom of other issues. However, it can also occur alongside or lead to other symptoms, such as balance issues, nausea, and motion sickness.

There are two types of vertigo: peripheral and central.

Peripheral vertigo accounts for about 80% of cases and is often the result of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

The remaining 20% of cases are central vertigo, which results from lesions on the brain stem or another issue affecting the brain.

Both multiple sclerosis (MS) and migraine can cause central vertigo.

BPPV occurs when calcium carbonate crystals in the ear, known as canaliths, come loose and move into one of the fluid filled canals.

It is the most common cause of peripheral vertigo.

These crystals interfere with the normal movement of fluid in the canals. The purpose of the fluid is to sense movement, but disturbances can cause it to send false signals to the brain.

This tricks the brain into thinking that a person is moving, even if they are not. The false signal contradicts what the other ear senses and what the eyes are seeing. This conflicting information causes a spinning sensation, known as vertigo.

Physical therapy can help with vertigo. The most suitable exercises may vary depending on the type of vertigo. A person should make sure that they have the correct diagnosis before seeking physical therapy or trying exercises at home.

Healthcare professionals may use a form of physical therapy called vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) to help with vertigo. VRT may help people with vertigo resulting from BPPV, head injuries, central nervous system lesions, and undefined causes.

However, this type of therapy might not work for all causes of vertigo. The aim of VRT is to help a person anticipate vertigo from known triggers and take action to prevent it from occurring. As a result, people who experience sporadic, unpredictable incidents may not benefit from VRT.

The symptoms of vertigo may either reduce or worsen during VRT exercises.

Sometimes, worsening symptoms may be due to unnecessary overuse of the exercises on a good day, which can cause fatigue, resulting in increased symptoms.

Even if the exercises seem to have resolved the symptoms of vertigo, a person can experience a relapse of symptoms at a later time.

Some exercises for vertigo may be easy for people to do at home. However, it is important to determine the cause of vertigo before beginning any therapy to treat the symptoms.

A person should also follow all exercise recommendations from a doctor or therapist. These professionals can explain each exercise in more detail and provide guidance on what to expect and when to stop.

This section explains how to perform two canalith repositioning exercises that may help alleviate vertigo.

Learn more about exercises for vertigo.

This common exercise is particularly effective in treating BPPV.

A person can perform the Epley maneuver by following these steps:

A person should then repeat the same movement on the opposite side in other words, facing the right at the beginning. They can do this up to three times per day until they no longer experience vertigo for at least 24 hours.

Learn more about the Epley maneuver with a step-by-step video guide.

This is a similar exercise that involves alternating between sitting and lying positions.

To perform Brandt-Daroff exercises, a person should:

Learn more about Brandt-Daroff exercises with a step-by-step video guide.

A person can ask a healthcare professional for their recommendations regarding physical therapists in the area. Not all therapists will have the same level of experience, and some may not know how to treat all causes of vertigo.

A person who needs help finding a physical therapist can use the Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapys website to find a local professional in their area.

The Vestibular Disorders Association also offers a resource that can help a person find physical therapists in their area.

The costs of physical therapy can vary, but health insurance may cover some or all of the costs. A person with a health insurance plan should contact their provider to determine how much of each session it will cover.

Those without insurance should talk with a healthcare professional, who may be able to provide information on local resources that can help cover the costs.

Learn more about Medicare and Medicaid.

Vertigo treatments can vary depending on the exact underlying cause. Once a person treats the underlying cause, the symptom of vertigo should resolve.

Other treatments that can help treat some causes of vertigo include:

Learn more about home remedies for vertigo.

With physical therapy and other effective treatments, most people should see their vertigo improve. A doctor can address any underlying conditions responsible for the vertigo.

However, a person may still experience some vertigo in the future. For example, about 50% of people will experience a relapse in BPPV within 5 years. In addition, about one-third of people experiencing vertigo from anxiety will still experience symptoms after 1 year.

Vertigo is a symptom associated with several different conditions. It occurs when a person experiences spinning and dizziness or feels as though their surroundings are moving around them.

Physical therapy can help improve a persons vertigo. A person should speak with a doctor before starting any new program to make sure that they receive effective treatment for the underlying condition.

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Physical therapy for vertigo: Exercises, benefits, and more - Medical News Today

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Physical therapy for vertigo: Exercises, benefits, and more – Medical News Today | May 29th, 2022

Danielle Roy says multiple sclerosis has turned her into a prisoner of her own body, which is why she is seeking a procedure that is only available outside of Canada and she needs the publics help to afford it.

The autoimmune disorder has slowly taken away her ability to walk and hold objects, leaving her wheelchair-bound after years of fighting to keep what mobility she has left. Roy said she is not giving up and is setting her sights on a stem-cell procedure that is still in the experimental phase in Canada but is being used in other countries to treat autoimmune disorders.

SUBMITTED

Danielle Roy is reaching out to the public to help her pay for an experimental stem-cell procedure in Mexico to halt the progression of her MS.

However, the nearest clinic is in Mexico, and it is going to cost her around $84,000. Neither Roy nor her caregiver and friend Evan Anthony have that kind of money, so they launched a campaign on GoFundMe to raise funds before applying for loans.

Roy said she knows asking for that much money is a lofty goal, but she has reached a point where she cannot tolerate her MS any longer.

"Im going to be bedridden soon. Im lucky I still have a lot of upper-body strength to get out of bed and into my chair," she said. "Really, I dont want to have to face another winter with this. For some reason, it makes my MS worse, and things really started going downhill after this winter."

What Roy is hoping to undergo is known as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). According to the medical information website Medscape.com, this involves injecting hematopoietic stem cells into the veins to re-establish blood-cell production in patients whose bone marrow or immune system is damaged or defective. This technique has been used with increasing frequency over the past 50 years to treat numerous malignant and non-malignant diseases.

Cells for HSCT may be obtained from the patient or from another person, such as a sibling or unrelated donor or an identical twin. Cell sources include bone marrow, peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood. Roy said the stem cells from her own body will be used.

According to the MS Society of Canada, the disease attacks the myelin, the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord, causing inflammation and often damaging the myelin in patches. When this happens, the usual flow of nerve impulses along nerve fibres (axons) is interrupted or distorted.

Depending on the type and the persons overall health, the result may be a wide variety of symptoms, depending on which part or parts of the central nervous system are affected. This includes numbness, loss of muscle control, paralysis, difficulty speaking, dizziness, loss of bowel and bladder control, difficulty swallowing and tremors. Not all people with MS will experience all symptoms, and often the symptoms will improve during periods of remission.

There are various ways to manage symptoms, ranging from drug treatments to non-medicinal strategies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, exercise programs and alternative and complementary treatments.

Roy was diagnosed in 2005 at the age of 19 and slowly lost mobility until she required an electric wheelchair. In 2010, she and her family ran a penny collection campaign to pay for a treatment anchored in the theory MS was caused by blocked neck veins that needed to be opened with angioplasty. At the time, such treatments were only available overseas.

Since then, it has been a series of ups and downs with several medications and therapies. The problem with those, she said, is they only slow down progression or manage symptoms for a time before they become worse.

The psychological effects have been just as devastating.

"I used to be so active, a cheerleader, a runner," she said. "Now, I feel a little jealous when I see someone holding a cup of coffee. This is my life, and Ill try anything to save it."

The hope is this treatment will stop the progression of MS and allow her body to heal itself and regain at least some of her mobility.

"Other treatments slow things down or do damage control, but with HSCT, it stops progression entirely," Anthony said. "Its not a treatment, but its hard to not call it a treatment. You can get it more than one time, but it is really meant to be a procedure done once."

Anthony said he can take out a loan to help pay for some of the procedure, but not for more than $84,000, which is why they are once again reaching out to the public to help Roy.

To donate, visit gofund.me/f3b0eaf8.

kmckinley@brandonsun.com

Twitter: @karenleighmcki1

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'This is my life, and I'll try anything to save it': Woman with MS raising funds for treatment - The Brandon Sun

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on ‘This is my life, and I’ll try anything to save it’: Woman with MS raising funds for treatment – The Brandon Sun | May 29th, 2022

Astrocytes make up almost half of the mammalian brain cells. They are called glial cells because scientists originally thought that these starlight-shaped structures serve as nerve glue.

Research suggests that these cells control the growth of axons, or the neuronal projections that carry electrical impulses.

However, scientists still considered astrocytes to be supporting actors behind neurons, which are the primary cells of the brain and nervous system.

Now, scientists at Tufts University in Massachusetts and other institutions realize that astrocytes may execute a significantly greater performance in brain activity.

Dr. Moritz Armbruster, a research assistant professor of neuroscience at Tufts, led a team of researchers in harnessing novel technology to study astrocyte-neuron exchanges.

To their surprise, the scientists observed electrical activity in astrocyte processes within mouse brain tissue. They reported: This represents a novel class of subcellular astrocyte membrane dynamics and a new form of astrocyteneuron interaction.

Dr. Armbruster and his fellow authors published their findings in Nature Neuroscience.

Using innovative tools, the Tufts team developed a technique to detect and observe electrical activity in brain cell interactions. These properties could not be seen before now.

Dr. Chris Dulla, corresponding author of the study, is an associate professor of neuroscience at the Tufts University School of Medicine and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He explained that he and his colleagues []use viruses to express fluorescent proteins in the mouse brain, and thats what lets us measure this activity.

In an interview with Medical News Today, he elaborated:

[W]e had other experiments that made us think that this new type of activity must be happening in astrocytes. We just didnt have a way to show it[] So, we developed these new techniques to image the activity of the astrocytes and, using them, we showed that this thing that we thought must be happening actually was happening.

Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that facilitate the transfer of electrical signals between neurons and support the blood-brain barrier. Scientists have long understood that astrocytes control these substances to support neuronal health.

This study breaks ground in showing that neurons release potassium ions, which change the astrocytes electrical activity. This modulation affects how the astrocytes control neurotransmitters.

Until now, scientists could not image potassium activity in the brain.

Neurons and astrocytes talk with each other in a way that has not been known about before, Dr. Dulla said.

Dr. Dulla maintains that human brain cells work the same way as mouse tissue. He said that mouse and human brain cells use the same proteins and molecules involved in brain activity.

Besides, using human tissue samples presents ethical challenges, Dr. Dulla noted: [We] have to be really careful and judicious [] with the experiments we design, and [we] dont get a chance to see [human tissue] samples like [we] can do with mice.

However, the professor shared that extensive databases give [scientists] a chance to just access human brain tissue without doing an experiment [themselves], but just getting the data that someone else has already done.

This wealth of information further demonstrates similarities between human and mouse cells and lets researchers deduce that the same processes are happening in each. The main difference is that human cells are larger and more abundant.

He also pointed out that the study highlights a bidirectional relationship between these brain cells, as astrocytes influence the neurons as well.

These findings about astrocyte-neuron interactions open a new world of questions regarding brain pathology, memory, and learning.

MNT also discussed this study with Dr. Santosh Kesari, who was not involved in this research. He is a neurologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, and regional medical director for the Research Clinical Institute of Providence Southern California.

Dr. Kesari said that this study confirms earlier research.

[T]his is one of many studies thats showing increasingly, how astrocytes and neurons interact, how they affect each other and then connecting the dots to how that affects brain function behavior, memory, seizures, dementia, and even in the context of brain tumors, all these cells interact. Dr. Santosh Kesari

Most medication development for brain disorders currently targets neurons. Dr. Kesari agreed that this study might shine light on a new path.

Maybe we should really be understanding the astrocyte side of things to develop drugs that may impact brain health by looking at that astrocytic role in brain disorders, he said.

The ability to image cell processes, as in this study, makes it possible to explore other activities within the brain as well.

The researchers are also screening existing drugs in hopes of manipulating astrocyte-neuron processes. Scientists could come close to repairing brain injuries or helping people increase their learning capacity if this proves successful.

They are also making their tools available to other labs to explore more areas of interest, such as breathing, headache, and many other neurological disorders.

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Researchers find new function performed by almost half of brain cells - Medical News Today

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A Texas family said they faced a fight for their childs life after their daughter's health plan provider denied coverage of a medication known as the most expensive drug in the world.

The family said doctors told them the one-time infusion that costs millions of dollars was their daughters best hope.

Read on to learn more about their story and how an "army" of strangers stepped in.

At 4-months old, every move Aniya Porter makes is a miracle to her parents.

Aniya Porter was born with a rare genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy or SMA.

You go day-by-day. Is my daughter going to stop breathing? Is she going to stop attempting to stand up? Is she going to stop putting her head up? Will Porter said.

Aniya was born with a rare genetic disease called spinal muscular atrophy or SMA.

SMA progressively kills motor neurons, the nerve cells in the brain stem and spinal cord that control essential functions like talking, walking, swallowing and breathing.

We live every day wondering and hoping that nothing else happens to her, that she doesn't lose any more of her motor neurons, said Hailey Weihs, Aniyas mother.

There is treatment.

In 2019, the FDA approved a drug called Zolgensma which carries a price tag of $2.1 million. The one-time gene therapy, given through an IV, is designed to replace the function of a missing or non-working SMN1 gene in a patient to stop the progression of SMA preserving motor neurons before theyre gone.

It doesn't give back what she has already lost. That's why it's so time-sensitive, explained Weihs.

When Aniyas doctor prescribed Zolgensma, Weihs and Porter said their daughters insurance, a Medicaid provider in Texas, denied coverage of the drug.

She got the denial from her insurance and that was devastating for us, said Weihs.

As they appealed, they said Aniya started to show signs she may lose control of her muscles.

She started to stop having reflexes in her legs and then her tongue started twitching, said Porter.

Racing against time, Weihs connected with other families of kids with SMA and a lawyer who agreed to represent Aniya for free.

Aniyas attorney, Eamon Kelly, told NBC 5 Responds, All the doctors agree that Aniya Porter should receive this treatment.

Kelly, who is based in Chicago, said Aniya is the seventh child with SMA hes represented in insurance coverage battles.

In Aniyas case, he said the health plan provider said the treatment was not medically necessary because doctors believe Aniya has four copies of the SMN2 gene, also known as a backup gene, which can indicate a milder illness.

Kelly argued backup genes, along with other available therapies, would not be enough to keep Aniya from losing muscle function. However, he said cutting-edge gene therapy could help.

We have a treatment that will take a little girl that is going to have a degenerative disease that threatens her life, that will put her in a wheelchair and as long as we get it to her before she's two years old and before she loses her motor neurons, she'll walk, she'll dance, she'll live a full life. Its like science fiction, Kelly said.

The first child with SMA Kelly represented is Maisie Forrest, who received Zolgensma in 2019 when she was 20 months old.

Ciji Green, Maisies mom, said Maisie was on a ventilator 22 hours a day before getting the drug.

We met with her pulmonologist and I just wept, Green recalled. I told him she's not going to make it to two and he didn't offer any words of hope because he knew Maisie was on the decline as well.

Maisie is now 4 years old.

She touches my face and it's absolutely beautiful, said Green.

Maisie is playing, talking and crawling.

Something that I have now that I didn't have was hope, hope that I will get to see her continue to meet milestones that she was never supposed to meet, Green added.

Maisies mom and a team of volunteers known as Maisies Army introduced Aniyas parents to Eamon Kelly. Last month, Kelly represented Aniya at a Medicaid State Fair Hearing.

Aniyas family requested the hearing from Texas Health and Human Services.

A week after the hearing and a few days after NBC 5 reached out to Aniyas health plan provider, Superior HealthPlan, Superior told Aniyas family Zolgensma would be covered for Aniya.

We have fought for four months. Those have been the hardest four months of our lives, said Weihs.

On April 27, Aniyas family made the trip from their home in Abilene to Cook Childrens Medical Center in Fort Worth where Aniya received the drug.

She's going to sit up on her own, she is going to walk one day, she's going to feed herself with a spoon, she's going to walk down and she's going to get her diploma, Weihs said.

NBC 5 Responds reached out to Superior HealthPlan by phone and email. We didnt hear back.

We asked Texas Health and Human Services about options for families denied coverage for Zolgensma.

It told us, in part, Medicaid covers medically necessary services including medications, and those services are delivered through managed care organizations. If the prior authorization is denied, the provider or the member can appeal the decision and MCOs have flexibility to make medically necessary decisions. Members also have the right to access the State Fair Hearing process with or without an External Medical Review (EMR). The EMR is conducted by a third-party Independent Review Organization.

It also shared, Medicaid covers alternative therapies for spinal muscular atrophy treatment, including Spinraza (nusinersen) and Evrysdi (risdiplam). Also, some manufacturers offer patient assistance programs.

A spokesperson for Novartis, which makes Zolgensma, told NBC 5, in part, Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec) is a transformative and highly innovative gene therapy for a devastating, progressive genetic disease. This one-time gene therapy is priced based on the value it provides to patients, caregivers and health systems.

It also said, Novartis is working in partnership with governments and health care systems worldwide to identify and define new sustainable access models.

Aniyas parents said she will still see a doctor and be monitored after getting the gene therapy treatment. Theyre hopeful about her prognosis.

We just knew we couldnt give up, Weihs said.

Weihs tells NBC 5 Responds the family is now focused on helping other kids get access to a drug they believe is priceless.

I don't care how expensive it is. It's a child's life. Every baby deserves a chance, said Porter.

Novartis said more than 1,800 patients have been treated with Zolgensma worldwide.

Texas newborn screening program began screening for SMA last June. The states health and human services website reports SMA is among the leading genetic causes of death among infants and toddlers.

NBC 5 Responds is committed to researching your concerns and recovering your money. Our goal is to get you answers and, if possible, solutions and a resolution. Call us at 844-5RESPND (844-573-7763) orfill out our customer complaint form.

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Texas Family Fights to Access $2.1 Million Treatment for Baby - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Texas Family Fights to Access $2.1 Million Treatment for Baby – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth | May 13th, 2022

A recent study appearing in the journaleClinical Medicinesuggests that severe COVID-19 may be associated with persistent cognitive deficits, equivalent to a decline of 10 IQ points. In this study, severe COVID-19 was defined as COVID-19 that required hospitalization and critical care.

These cognitive deficits persisted until at least 6 months after contracting the SARS-CoV-2 infection, with a gradual improvement, if any, in these cognitive symptoms. These results underscore the importance of longer-term support for patients who have recovered from severe COVID-19.

According to official data from 2020, which is the same year that this study drew its data from, about 4 in 10 adults over the age of 18 are at risk of developing severe COVID-19 in the United States.

A significant minority of individuals with a SARS-CoV-2 infection experience persistent cognitive symptoms following the initial 4 weeks after the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. Some of the common cognitive symptoms include problems with concentration, brain fog, memory, and executive function.

Although persistent cognitive symptoms are also observed in individuals with mild COVID-19, such deficits in cognitive function are more prevalent in individuals with severe COVID-19. Previous studies suggest that 36%76% of individuals with severe acute COVID-19 show cognitive deficits 6 months after illness onset.

However, further research is needed to understand the specific aspects of cognitive function that are affected after severe COVID-19 and the factors that predict these cognitive symptoms.

Previous studies characterizing persistent cognitive symptoms in COVID-19 patients have relied on self-reports, which are susceptible to bias. Other studies have used pen-and-paper neuropsychological tests to assess cognitive function.

However, these tests do not possess the sensitivity to detect small changes in cognitive function or distinguish the various domains or aspects of cognitive function impacted by a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

To address these concerns, the authors of the present study used computerized cognitive tests to objectively characterize specific domains of cognitive function impacted after severe acute COVID-19. These computerized tests also allowed the researchers to assess the magnitude of these cognitive deficits.

Individuals with COVID-19 also experience persistent mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which could contribute to the deficits in cognitive function.

Another objective of the present study was to determine whether these mental health symptoms mediate the persistent cognitive deficits in COVID-19 patients.

The present study involved 46 patients who were previously hospitalized for severe COVID-19 and received critical care in Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, England. The former COVID-19 patients completed a series of computerized cognitive tests during a return visit to the hospital, an average of 6 months after the onset of the illness.

The performance of the 46 participants on the cognitive tests was compared with that of 460 individuals in the control group. The individuals in the control group were not hospitalized for COVID-19 and were matched for age, sex, and education levels. The researchers also used self-reports to assess symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

The researchers found that the COVID-19 patients had a lower score and a slower response time in the cognitive tests than the matched controls. People who had COVID-19 showed more pronounced deficits in specific domains of cognition, including processing speed, attention, memory, reasoning, and planning.

Notably, the deficits in cognitive function in the COVID-19 survivors were not associated with mental health symptoms present at the time of the cognitive testing, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Instead, the performance in the cognitive tests was correlated with the severity of acute illness. For instance, cognitive deficits were more pronounced in individuals who required mechanical ventilation.

The researchers then compared the performance of COVID-19 survivors with over 66,000 individuals from the general population.

The magnitude of cognitive impairment in COVID-19 survivors was equivalent to the age-related cognitive decline expected during the 20year period between the ages of 50 and 70 years.

The studys lead author Professor David Menon, head of the Division of Anaesthesia at the University of Cambridge, says: Cognitive impairment is common to a wide range of neurological disorders, including dementia, and even routine aging, but the patterns we saw the cognitive fingerprint of COVID-19 was distinct from all of these.

Dr. Betty Raman, a cardiologist at the University of Oxford, told Medical News Today, This prospective cohort study of 46 individuals recovering from severe COVID-19 and large normative reference population by Hampshire and colleagues has shown a clear association between severity of infection and degree of cognitive impairment.

This multidimensional characterization of cognition provides a nuanced understanding of distinct patterns of cognitive impairment during the convalescent phase of severe COVID-19. Future efforts are needed to understand how this pattern varies in the context of other post-infectious syndromes and critical illness.

The study found that these cognitive deficits persisted until 6-10 months after the onset of COVID-19, and there was only a gradual improvement, if any, in cognitive performance. The persistence of these cognitive deficits highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms underlying these symptoms.

Scientists have proposed multiple mechanisms, such as direct infection of the brain by SARS-CoV-2 and disruption of blood supply to the brain, to explain the persistent cognitive symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Among these mechanisms, systemic or whole-body inflammation has emerged as the leading candidate responsible for persistent cognitive symptoms.

Dr. Roger McIntyre, a professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at the University of Toronto, told MNT, Inflammatory activation appears to be mediating these findings, highlighting the hazards of lengthy immune activation. The next steps are to unravel biological mechanisms more fully and identify prevention and treatment strategies.

Discussing major questions that need to be addressed, Dr. Paul Harrison, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Oxford, said:

This study shows that these deficits can be substantial and persist more than 6 months after the acute illness. The results are convincing and important and raise further questions. For example, what happens following a less severe infection? How long do the deficits last? What causes them and, critically, how can they be treated or prevented?

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Severe COVID-19 may cause cognitive deficits equivalent to 20 years of aging - Medical News Today

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Severe COVID-19 may cause cognitive deficits equivalent to 20 years of aging – Medical News Today | May 13th, 2022

Stem cells are key building blocks for the human body. At the start of life, they divide over and over again to create a fully developed baby from an embryo. Many individuals now even turn to services that store and preserve umbilical cords should a person ever be in need.

Stem cells have the potential to develop into different types of cells in the body, serving as a repair system of sorts for damaged or lost cells. In recent decades, scientists have shown the miraculous ways of medicine through stem cell treatments.

So just how are doctors using stem cells to treat and help heal people battling various ailments? Heres a look at five studies published on StudyFinds that demonstrate the wondrous ways of stem cell treatments.

A heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, weakens muscles of the ventricles, which causes heart failure and often death in children. Currently, the only cure is a heart transplant, which can take long periods of time to find an acceptable donor and increases the risk of rejection of the donor tissue. One study finds that stem cell therapy could help DCM patients survive longer while awaiting a transplant or potentially eliminate the need for a new heart entirely.

Cardiac stem cells called cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) have proven to be effective at treating certain heart conditions. The CDCs grow into tissue cells of the heart and can counter the effects of DCM. To test the safety of the CDC therapy, a team of scientists at Okayama University in Japan demonstrated the efficacy of CDCs in tissue damaged from DCM. For the study, DCM symptoms were induced in pigs, after which CDCs were administered in various doses for treatment. In a control group, some pigs were given a placebo.

Results showed thickening of the heart muscle in pigs who were given the stem cell treatment. This allows increased blood flowto the rest of the body, thereby effectively repairing the damaged tissue. Due to the dosage used in animal trials, researchers could estimate the proper dosage for human trials.

The first of these included 5 younger patients who were diagnosed with DCM. Injections of CDCs resulted inbetter heart function without any serious side effects. Thus, scientists believe this type of treatment could minimize the need for heart transplants and allow DCM patients to have normal lives.

READ MORE: Stem cell treatment shows promise as treatment for rare heart condition in children

Although their use is sometimes controversial, scientists often look at stem cells as a potential miracle cure for many conditions. One study finds stem cells from a babys umbilical cord may save the most at risk of dying from COVID-19. A treatment derived from non-altered versions of these stem cells significantly improves the survival rate among coronavirus patients already on a ventilator.

In a double-blind, controlled, randomized study, 40 adultpatients in intensive careand on a ventilator received the treatment intravenously. The infusions contained stem cells coming from the connective tissue of a human umbilical cord. Half of the patients received infusions not containing stem cells to serve as a control group.

Results reveal survival rates climbed by 2.5 times among patients receiving stem cells. Those with a pre-existing health problem, making them high-risk for COVID, saw their changes of beating coronavirus jump by 4.5 times. Moreover, the study says the stem cell infusions did not cause any life-threatening complications or allergic reactions.

READ MORE: Stem cells from a babys umbilical cord doubles survival chances among COVID patients

In the fight against heart disease, a new super-weapon is now even closer to deployment, and its capabilities are turning out to be beyond expectations. A study aimed at combating heart disease finds that stem cells are not only showing promise in treating heart failure, but in rats are actually reversing problems associated with old age.

The specific type of stem cells used in the study are cardiosphere-derived cells, or CDCs. While the latest research involving CDCs indicates possibilities that have previously been in the realm of science fiction, the scientists leading the charge urge restraint in face of the excitement.

Nevertheless, the latest results of stem cell infusions in rats are startling. Not only did rats that received the CDCs experience improved heart function, they also had lengthened heart cell telomeres. Moreover, the rats that received the treatment also had their exercise capacity increase by about 20 percent. They also regrew hair faster than rats that didnt receive the cells.

Still, the doctors and scientists working to push the frontier of medicine forward are very optimistic about the real possibilities of the therapy. Researchers of the study said they are also studying the use of stem cells in treating patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, a condition that affects more than 50 percent of all heart failure patients.

READ MORE: Study: Cardiac stem cell injections reverse effects of aging

A new biomaterial can help regenerate tissue in people dealing with chronic lower back pain and spinal issues. A recent study finds the secret to this breakthrough therapy is all in the hiPS. Not thosehips, but human induced pluripotent stem cells.

The study explains that a common cause of lower back pain is the degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVDs). These discs sit between the vertebrae in the spine and help give the spinal column its flexibility. Severe IVD degeneration eventually leads to spinal deformity without treatment. In this study, scientists used cartilage tissue derived from stem cells to build back lost IVDs in lab rats.

Study authors used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) during their experiments. Importantly, scientists are capable of turning iPSCs into chondrocytes cells that produce and maintain cartilage. Previous studies have successfully used this same method to treat cartilage defects in animals. In the new study, researchers created human iPSC-derived cartilaginous tissue (hiPS-Cart) that they implanted into rats with no NP cells in their intervertebral discs.

Findings reveal that the hiPS-Cart implanted in the rats was able to survive and be maintained. IVD and vertebral bone degeneration were prevented. The researchers also assessed the mechanics and found that hiPS-Cart was able to revert these properties to similar levels observed in the control rats.

READ MORE: Stem cell cure for lower back pain is all in the hiPS

Stem cells taken from deceased patients may also help in creating a cure for blindness. Retina cells from a corpse continue to survive after being transplanted into the eyes of monkeys, scientists say.

RPE dysfunction is a leading cause of blindness, including causing disorders likemacular degeneration, which affects around 200 million people worldwide. Now, for the first time, scientists have successfully produced retina cells in monkeys using human stem cells. Human cadaver donor-derived cells can be safely transplanted underneath the retina and replace host function, and therefore may be a promising source for rescuing visionin patients with retina diseases.

For the study, researchers transplanted stem cells from the eyes of donated bodies under the monkeys macula, the central part of the retina. Following surgery, the transplanted patches remained stable for at least three months without any serious side-effects. The RPE created by the human stem cells partially took over from the old retina cells. In addition, this could successfully support the eyes light receptorswithout causing retinal scarring.

These unique cells could serve as an unlimited resource of human RPE, whichmay restore sightfor millions of people around the world. The scientists caution that they will need to conduct more research to see how the procedure works with human transplant patients. Human trials are still a long way off.

READ MORE: Eye stem cells transplanted from corpses to live patients could cure blindness

For more information on each of these stem cell treatments, you can refer to the READ MORE links in between each section.

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Stem Cell Magic: 5 Promising Treatments For Major Medical Conditions - Study Finds

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Scientists have created a stem cell treatment that might potentially lead to novel restorative therapies for those who have suffered a spinal cord damage.

Clinical trials have been hindered by limited stem cell viability and inability to replace injured spinal cord cells following spinal cord damage, despite its enormous promise for tissue healing.

Using a tailored method, this study establishes ground-breaking new territory by directing grafted neuronal stem cells to produce the specific kinds of spinal cord repair cells. It is critical that these newly generated cells survive and operate inside the host wounded spinal cord for a lengthy period of time following a spinal cord accident.

As a neurodegenerative ailment, spinal cord damage is a severe and expensive one, Karimi noted. She estimates that roughly 1,400 new occurrences of spinal cord injury occur annually in Canada, out of a total population of 86,000 people. Of them, 40% are all below the age of 45. It is anticipated that in 2019, the yearly cost of spine nerve lesion in Canada would be around $2.7 billion. She said that these expenses include medical treatment and hospitalizations, and also indirect expenses such as missed or decreased output.

Developing innovative restorative medicine therapies to enhance the standard of life for a wide group of people is an unfulfilled need in the field of spinal cord injury rehabilitation. This is exciting news for spinal cord injury sufferers, who have seen few advancements in treatment since the advent of stem cell research.

It will likely still be some time before this kind of treatment is available to patients, but we know that the researchers involved in this study are doing everything they can to advance neural stem cell transplantation therapies and bring them to a wider clinical application.

The study was published in The Journal of Neuroscience.

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Neural Stem Cell Therapy For Spinal Cord Injury To Tap Into The Potential Of Stem Cells - Optic Flux

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Neural Stem Cell Therapy For Spinal Cord Injury To Tap Into The Potential Of Stem Cells – Optic Flux | April 15th, 2022

When a freak accident left mum-of-three Sam Bloom paralysed from the waist down, she sunk into a deep depression before finding comfort from an unlikely source.

Bloom stumbled across a baby magpie she called Penguin Bloom, and the bird soon became a member of her family - eventually helping to assist in her recovery.

Her book of the same name later became a movie, starring Australian actress Naomi Watts as Sam.

Watch The Morning Show on Channel 7 and stream it for free on 7plus >>

See Sam Bloom in the video player above

But that is far from the end of Blooms remarkable story.

She is both a world para-surf champion and disability advocate, fighting for a cure for spinal cord injuries.

When she joined The Morning Show, she started by discussing the impact of the film.

I think the best thing about the whole film and telling our story is just all the messages Ive received from people around the world, Bloom said.

It was on Netflix in South America and Europe and so on, and a lot of people have just said thank you because they dont feel so alone because it was a pretty honest account of when life doesnt turn out the way you thought it would.

Its nice to know that youre actually helping someone.

Bloom was an avid surfer before her accident, and her injury hasnt deterred her. She has twice taken out the world para-surf championship and recently returned from a surfing trip with her family in Yeppoon in north Queensland.

It was so much fun, the wave pool at Yeppoon is like a giant lake and its like it has this giant plunger in the middle and it sucks up, Bloom said.

Its a bit terrifying at first and then there are five different breaks - it is the best fun ever.

I feel super-free, kind of feel like my old self again, which is a nice feeling. Its the best.

Bloom also spoke about her work with Wings for Life World Run - the worlds largest running event in which thousands of people around the globe run simultaneously to raise money and awareness for spinal cord injury research.

The run is on May 8 at 9am in Sydney and the run starts all around the world at the same time, in a way were lucky that its not in the middle of the night in Sydney when it starts, Bloom said with a laugh.

Bloom explained the goal behind the run and her hopes for what it might ultimately achieve: funding vital research into spinal injuries.

Unfortunately its all about money, she said.

Thats the best thing about Wings for Life World Run, 100 per cent of the money raised goes straight to the research.

Its incredible, theyre doing a lot of research now with stem cells and neurostimulation.

I hope that theyll find a cure for spinal cord injuries. Can you imagine, theres millions of people around the world living with spinal cord injury and it breaks my heart when I see young people (affected).

Because I was 41 when I had my accident and I know how devastating it is, when you see young people and their journey is only just beginning.

Bloom revealed that, while her outlook is a lot more positive, she still struggles with living with her injury

I have good days and bad days, for sure, she said. To be honest, I hate being stuck in a wheelchair, Id do anything to be up and to be me again.

To help support the Wings for Life World Run please click here

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Still Blooming: Sams mission to raise money for spinal cord injury research - 7NEWS

Spinal Cord Stem Cells Comments Off on Still Blooming: Sams mission to raise money for spinal cord injury research – 7NEWS | April 15th, 2022