Researchers hope the brain stem cells will stimulate the growth of new neurons and reduce inflammation caused by the stroke Doctors have injected stem cells into a man's brain as part of the world's first clinical trial of the cells in stroke patients. The former truck driver, who is in his 60s, was severely disabled by a stroke 18 months ago and requires continuous care from his wife. Doctors injected around two million cells into a healthy region of his brain called the putamen, close to where neurons were damaged by the stroke. They hope the injected cells will release chemicals that stimulate new brain cells and blood vessels to grow, while healing scar tissue and reducing inflammation. The team, led by Professor Keith Muir at the University of Glasgow's Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, expect to treat 11 more male patients aged between 60 and 85 in the trial, using progressively higher doses of five million, 10m and 20m cells. The injections are being given to patients who have suffered ischaemic stroke, the most common type, caused by a blocked blood vessel in the brain. The operation requires a general anaesthetic and patients will be monitored for two years to see whether the procedure is safe and has any beneficial effect on their quality of life. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/nov/16/stem-cells-injected-brain-stroke added by: Chango2000
