Interesting exerpt from a book about stem cells (see link below for full article - long and only a few MS references)



Stem Cell Research: Science and the Future

by Terry Gross - February 14, 2006 · Since 1998, when scientists isolated embryonic stem cells in a lab, questions over how -- and whether -- to use them have abounded. In Stem Cell Now, bioethics expert Christopher Thomas Scott explores the possibilities of what some ...

New insights into the functioning of stem cells...



Prions may hold key to stem cell function

30 January 2006 - NewScientist.com news service - The curative properties of stem cells may rely on prions, a new study suggests, the type of protein made infamous by mad cow disease.

Prions are a special class of protein that can change the shape and function of other proteins around them. While these are found throughout any mammal’s body, ...

Here's a news article I just ran across about using oligodendrocyte-like cells extracted from bone marrow to restore cell function.

Hopefully this patent pans out!

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060126/20060126005366.html?.v=1


Dunmann.

I hope they can quickly push stem cell treatments along the road to clinical trials...



Stem cells in inflammatory demyelinating disorders: a dual role for immunosuppression and neuroprotection.

Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2006 Jan;6(1):17-22.
Uccelli A, Zappia E, Benvenuto F, Frassoni F, Mancardi G.
Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Via De Toni 5, 16132 Genoa, Italy. auccelli@neurologia.unige.it

In recent years much excitement has been generated over ...

Hi all,

We at the MSRC are putting together an expanded section on Stem Cell Treatments, and as part of that, and for New Pathways Magazine, I am looking for people who are considering having, or have had SCT for their MS to provide personal feedback on the various companies and their experiences, whether it helped or not, how you were treated (hopefully you get the picture).

I already have some personal stories at ...

Basic research, but they say they hope to enter Phase I trials soon...



Cedars-Sinai researchers demonstrate a new way to switch therapeutic genes 'on' and 'off'

December 23, 2005 - A gene therapy research team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has developed a new method of signaling therapeutic genes to turn "off" or "on," a mechanism that could enable scientists to fine-tune genetic- and stem cell-based therapies so that they are safer, more controllable and more ...

A different way that stem cells could prove useful in neurodegenerative disorders.



Engineered stem cells show promise for sneaking drugs into the brain

December 15, 2005 - Eurekalert - One of the great challenges for treating Parkinson's diseases and other neurodegenerative disorders is getting medicine to the right place in the brain.

The brain is a complex organ with many different types of cells and structures, and it is fortified with a protective barrier erected ...

The UK MS Society is holding an ask the expert session with Dr Neil Scolding who is undertaking research on stem cells to repair myelin etc.

http://www.mssociety.org.uk/application ... _id=101215

Anyone can register and then ask a question. Not all are answered but the questions that are, and the answers, are posted on the site.


Ian

Highland woman underwent controversial stem cell treatment


15/11/2005 16:45

A Highland woman who underwent controversial stem cell treatment in an effort to combat her multiple sclerosis says the procedure has enabled her to walk for the first time in more than five years.

Amanda Bryson traveled to the Netherlands in a wheelchair less than a week ago.....back home, she's now able to walk with limited support.

Only five days ago she traveled to a clinic ...