How to treat nerve damage with stem cells

Argentinian doctors have successfully performed the world's first transplanted mesenchymal stem cell into the brain of a quadriplegic patient, opening a new pathway for cell regeneration. .

On January 11, surgeon Jorge Trainini, President of the Presidente Perón Hospital and head of the treatment team, said the scientists took some of the patient's bone marrow stem cells, developed and injected them. Brainstorming through an artery that leads directly to the damaged brain.

The patient was Congressman Alfredo Rivas, 49, suffered serious brain damage in a robbery in 2007.

In August 2010, Dr. Trainini's treatment team performed the first mononuclear stem cell transplant with Mr. Rivas and recorded a good signal when the patient started to move his head, recovering his ability to chew and transmit. negative.

Encouraged by this positive result, the team of Trainini and his patients moved to Havana Heart Institute in Cuba to perform the second phase of the treatment, with the help of Cuban doctors.

However, Mr. Trainini also warned that the new method is not " magic wand " and must also verify whether it is applicable to other brain injuries. Until now, stem cell transplants in the brain have progressed, but the end result is only after 60 days.