New Delhi: A groundbreaking study by scientists at the Gladstone Institutes has revealed that modified stem cells could significantly enhance brain activity in stroke survivors. The research, published in the journal Molecular Therapy, highlights the potential of stem cell therapy to restore normal brain functions even weeks after a stroke.
Ischemic strokes, the most common type, often leave survivors with lasting disabilities, including chronic pain, weakness, and epilepsy. Current treatments are most effective only if administered within hours of the stroke, limiting their impact. However, the new therapy demonstrated benefits in animal models even when applied one month post-stroke, offering renewed hope for long-term recovery options.
The team, led by Jeanne Paz, tested the therapy on rats that had experienced strokes. They injected modified human stem cells into the brain near the injury site. Over the next month, researchers analyzed brain activity, focusing on electrical signals and molecular changes. Their findings were promising: the therapy reversed abnormal brain hyperexcitability, restored balance in neural networks, and increased levels of proteins and cells critical for brain function and repair.
Interestingly, while less than one percent of the transplanted human cells remained in the rats’ brains a week after the procedure, the therapy's effects were long-lasting. The treated rats exhibited improved neural activity, indicating significant progress in their recovery.
This stem cell therapy has been in clinical development for over a decade, primarily to address stroke and traumatic brain injuries. Earlier clinical trials suggested that the treatment could help patients regain motor control over their arms and legs, but the exact mechanisms were unclear. The new findings shed light on how the therapy influences brain function, paving the way for refined treatment approaches.
If further studies confirm these results in humans, the therapy could revolutionize post-stroke care, offering millions of survivors a chance at improved quality of life and independence. Scientists are optimistic that this breakthrough could also inform the development of other therapies targeting similar neurological disorders.