Hopeful Cord Blood Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Our central nervous system is covered in myelin, a “fatty white substance” that surrounds and protects the nerve fibers that are responsible for transmitting information to the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body. Multiple sclerosis attacks and destroys the myelin and as these nerve cells deteriorate, symptoms of MS such as “numbness, loss of vision, fatigue and tremors” start to occur. There are different phases or “courses” of MS most often diagnosed by the frequency of MS symptoms, the amount of time in between them, and the severity of those symptoms. Regardless of the diagnosis, there is currently no cure for MS. “Currently doctors treat symptoms of MS with a combination of medications. However, medications don’t repair any damage to the nervous system caused by MS, and they will not cure the disease.” New research suggests the stem cells found in cord blood can improve the immune system’s ability to support the body, and regenerate damaged nervous system tissue. It is reported that cord blood is safer, quicker and easier to match compared to bone marrow cells used in the past. Gianvito Martino, director of neuroscience at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy, said there were two types of stem cells already being used in patients, both from blood. They were haematopoietic and me...
Source: Cord Blood News - Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Tags: Cord Blood medical research stem cells multiple sclerosis Source Type: blogs