Why stem cell research must not be handicapped by Bush

Stem cells may protect brain, nervous system
Injections could one day treat neurological diseases, mice study concludes



Updated: 1:47 p.m. ET July 13, 2005

MILAN - Stem cells may protect the brain and nervous system against damage from tumors and conditions such as multiple sclerosis, researchers at Milan's San Raffaele Scientific Institute found.

Experiments with mice with a disease similar to multiple sclerosis showed that stem cells injected into the blood stream migrated to inflamed areas in the brain and spinal cord, killing inflammatory cells, the researchers said.

This suggests that a single injection of stem cells could be used to treat many different areas of damage in the body, reducing the clinical signs of the disease.

"There is a therapeutic potential in this discovery, but it's still too early to talk about a cure for humans," head of research Gianvito Martino told a news conference.

Mice treated with stem cells at the onset of the disease started to recover between one or two months, the team reported.

Stem cells are primitive cells that can transform themselves into many specialized forms, such as blood cells. Their potential of regenerating organs or tissue has given hope to sufferers from nervous diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

The researchers said the stem cells could also potentially be used as a natural anti-inflammatory drug to treat damage by diseases such as stroke, brain tumors, and spinal cord injuries.

"With this discovery, we are moving closer to a targeted use of stem cell therapy without side effects," researcher Stefano Pluchino said.

"The interesting thing is that adult stem cells grow in vitro without becoming specialized, they are injected and they find the damaged organ by themselves and decide autonomously how to treat it."

The results of the study will be published in Nature magazine this week.