(Embryonic) Stem Cell Breakthrough May Lead to MS Treatments

[usregimechange]

THURSDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. scientists say they've coaxed human embryonic stem cells into generating cells that might someday be used to repair nerves damaged by multiple sclerosis.

The researchers pushed the stem cells to grow into critical nervous system support cells called oligodendrocytes, according to a report released Thursday.

Oligodendrocytes produce the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve fibers like wire insulation. The findings represent an important step toward embryonic stem cell-based therapies in general, experts say, and also for cell-based therapies for myelination disorders such as MS in particular. At the very least, the findings should lead to a laboratory model of the illness' pathology.

"They are definitely laying the groundwork for being able to apply these cells in terms of a therapeutic application," said Timothy Coetzee, executive director of Fast Forward, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, which partially funded the study.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_82747.html

[firedupdem]

1. Thanks for this info. I have a friend suffering from this miserable

disease.

[LynnTheDem]

2. Most excellent news!

And a shout-out to God for giving scientists the brains to work such miracles!



And yes, that is meant as a kick in the teeth of the religious wrongnuts.

[jenmito]

3. Thanks for the great news! As someone who has MS bad,

I hope it won't be too late for me, but at least I have hope. :hi:

[firedupdem]

5. Aww Jen.....Keep the hope my friend!

:hug:

[jenmito]

6. Thanks, firedupdem!

:hug:

[Hope And Change]

4. K & R!

[pleah]

7. K&R

[ejpoeta]

8. well i hope all the people out there bitching about how awful embryonic stem cell research is

never avail themselves of the possible treatments that may be derived from this. i am so glad to hear that some possible help is on the way.

[Skittles]

9. they'd be years ahead in this reseach were it not for that bastard bush

good luck to them

[sellitman]

10. The ironic thing is the wingnuts win with these breakthroughs too.

Despite themselves.

[usregimechange]

11. But what about the rights of frozen sperm cells?