Stem Cell Transplantation to Help Cure Cerebral Palsy

Medical Researchers are working hard to determine ifStem cell transplants tested on animals have shown
stem cell transplants can help cure cerebral palsiedthat mature stem cells from the bone marrow will
children. Cerebral palsy is a result of brain damage ormove to the site of brain injury. More research is being
abridgement of oxygen in the brain before or duringcarried out to enhance this process in a natural way.
the birth. A person affected with cerebral palsyNew tests have been carried out on animals where
normally has slow development, delay in movementthe bone marrow is removed from one group and
skills, learning, hearing, and other such disabilities.transplanted into a different group to see the effects.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, two toThe cells from the bone marrow are transplanted into
three Children in 1,000 are affected with cerebral palsy.the vascular system of the other group and monitored
Normally, prolonged deliveries can result in lack ofto see whether the transplanted cells will move to the
oxygen in the brain resulting in permanent damage ofbrain and help repair damaged brain cells as well as
the brain. Doctors and nurses attending to the deliverymake fresh ones. Researchers are observing if they
should be highly cautions and act as per the standardscan transplant the cells into the right place and make
of care to make sure that the baby is delivered inthe brain function normally.
healthy condition. However, according to researchers,Doctors believe that the stem cell transplantation idea
in cases of brain damage due to birth complications,has a great potential and once it is a success, it will
stem cell transplantation may be able to help repairtruly be a new milestone in curing cerebral palsy and
and restore damaged brain.other allied.