RESEARCH - Stem cells able to reverse symptoms of multiple sclerosis

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Stem cells 'able to reverse symptoms of multiple sclerosis'

Scientists have been able to reverse the symptoms of multiple

sclerosis using stem cells from patients' own body fat.

Telegraph.co.uk

by Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent

Last Updated: 2:26PM BST 23 Apr 2009

The preliminary findings add to the growing evidence that stem cells

could be used to treat multiple sclerosis Photo: AP

Some have been left free from seizures and better able to walk after

the treatment.

Researchers said that the results suggest that the " very simple "

injection of their own cells can stimulate the regrowth of tissue

damaged by the progression of the disease.

Stem cell treatment for most common form of blindness developed by

British scientistsThe preliminary findings add to the growing evidence

that stem cells could be used to treat the crippling neurological

disease, which affects about 85,000 people in Britain.

Last year experts suggested that stem cell therapy could be a " cure "

for MS within the next 15 years.

Patients' symptoms were still improving up to a year after the

treatment, the new study shows.

One, a 50-year-old man, who had suffered more than 600 painful

seizures in the three years before treatment has not had a single one

since the infusion of his own cells.

Another patient's ability to walk, run and even cycle are still

improving 10 months after the therapy.

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Read the full article here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5207556/Stem-cells-able-to-reverse-\

symtoms-of-multiple-sclerosis.html

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