Stem cells, valproic acid combo could cure paralysis: Study

Stem cell treatment may offer cure for patients suffering from paralysis, according to a new Japanese study.

Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan, found that stem cells taken from brain could be used to restore movement in people with spinal cord injuries, says a IANS report.

Researchers transplanted “neural stem cells” (NSCs) to mice with severe spinal cord injuries. The mice were later given a drug known as valproic acid, which is used in the treatment of epilepsy.

Analysis of the data found that the acid promoted the transplanted stem cells to generate nerve cells, rather than other brain cell types.

The “combination therapy resulted in impressive restoration of hind limb function”, the researchers concluded.

“The body’s capacity to restore damaged neural networks in the injured… is severely limited,” lead researcher Kinichi Nakashima was quoted as saying.

“Although various treatment regimens can partially alleviate spinal cord injury, the mechanisms responsible for symptomatic improvement remain elusive.

“These findings raise the possibility that (stem cells)… can be manipulated to provide effective treatment for spinal cord injuries,” he added.

He said the new method could be developed as an effective treatment for severe spinal cord injuries.

The study appears in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.