Stem Cell Therapy
Stroke is the number one cause of long term disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. UGA animal and dairy scientists are now testing the ability of induced pluripotent stem cell derived neural stem cells (iNSCs) to replace lost and damaged brain tissue. The efficacy of iNSC therapy has never been tested in a large animal stroke model similar to humans such as the recently developed pig stroke model. Stroked pigs that received the iNSC therapy showed significant improvement at the tissue and functional levels. iNSCs treatment improved cerebral blood flow in damaged tissue, protected damaged neural tissue from further degeneration and lead to improved motor function. The development of iNSC regenerative cell therapy will lead to the replacement and repair of damaged neural networks in stroke patients. This will lead to improved sensory, motor and cognitive function and improve the patient's life quality. This platform technology can also be adapted to other central nervous system injuries such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injury.