The FDA has approved the first clinical trial at the Medical College of Georgia, on the use of infused stem cells from umbilical cord blood to help children with cerebral palsy. Forty children, ages 2-12, will be enrolled in the study. Half of the children will receive the autologous stem cell transplant and half will receive a placebo. After three months, the children will undergo a neurological evaluation. In addition, the group that received the placebo, will also receive the transplant after the initial three months. Both groups will return for more evaluations at 3 and 6 month follow ups.
Looking forward to these results! The could open up an large opportunity to change motor skills in children with cerebral palsy.
Reference: Medical College of Georgia (2010, February 11). First FDA-approved stem cell trial in pediatric cerebral palsy. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 12, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2010/02/100211121812.htm
2 comments:
More study in this treatment is good news! Did the report specify the 'neurological evaluation'? Inclusive of imaging? I'll be linking this post, Margaret. Barbara
Barbara,
It looks like it will just be neurological exams by two neurologists who will be blind to whether the child has received the stem cell transplant or not.
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