Neuralstem Inc., the tiny Rockville biotech whose human stem cells have helped paralyzed rats walk again, is poised to launch its first trials on severe spinal cord conditions in humans.

The 11-year-old company is finally readying for trials of its patented nerve stem cell products on the first three of its possible targets: traumatic spinal cord injury; another type of paralysis often associated with stroke; and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. There are no cures for the conditions.

In a study at Johns Hopkins, Neuralstem stem cells extended the life of rats with a form of ALS. Continue Reading »

Procedures banned in U.S. offer disabled hope

Six years after a car accident left Jeni Rummelt paralyzed from the waist down, she is traveling to Moscow for a treatment aimed at helping her walk again.

Rummelt, 32, who is in Russia undergoing her sixth stem cell treatment, is one of a growing number of Americans who are seeking overseas medical procedures for injuries and diseases long regarded as untreatable.
Continue Reading »

Restorative Therapies, Inc., a designer of medical devices providing clinic and in-home restoration therapy, today announced FDA clearance of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Arm Cycling as part of its successful medical device, the RT300, an FES motorized cycle ergometer.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) November 29, 2007 — Restorative Therapies, Inc., advances its new era in treatment for neurological injury and paralysis as this FDA clearance marks the world’s first commercial release of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Arm Cycling.

In the treatment of neurological damage, FES is used to evoke physical activity and exercise not otherwise possible for individuals with a neurological Impairment. Continue Reading »

A top scientist using stem cells from human embryos to cure disease and repair injuries will proceed with his work, he said in Tucson on Tuesday, despite a recent breakthrough showing the controversial embryos may no longer be needed.

That blockbuster breakthrough was announced last week by researchers in Wisconsin and Japan, who have discovered how to genetically program human skin cells to behave like embryonic stem cells.

That means the skin cells can develop into any cell in the human body — in the brain, heart, liver, muscle or bones — where they potentially can be used for lifesaving repairs or cures. Until now, only stem cells from human embryos — each a potential human life — could do that. Continue Reading »

Wheelchair Nation

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If the negative vote on stem-cell research was because of a reluctance to spend more taxpayer dollars, it was most unfortunate. I commend Gov. Corzine for promoting this research despite the vote, because doing so will result in better health care for all of us.

Readers who watched the PBS program “Innovation,” which documented advances in health care already taking place using stem cells, learned spinal cord injuries are being treated in Lisbon, Portugal, using stem cells isolated from the person’s nasal septum. Several patients have improved feeling and mobility.

In Germany, a person who had suffered a heart attack was healed using stem cells isolated from his bone marrow. Continue Reading »

Astounding 85 Percent Workplace Giving Rate- Contributions Up 23 Percent This Year- Ameristar Council Bluffs, Iowa Receives Special Award

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — In a remarkable demonstration of philanthropic generosity, Team Members from Ameristar Casinos, Inc. nationwide, with company and foundation matches, will contribute more than $3 million to local Ameristar communities through Ameristar’s 2007 Workplace Giving Campaign. The 2007 contributions surpass 2006 contributions by 23 percent.

An astounding 85 percent of the company’s more than 7,200 Team Members participated in this year’s campaign. Continue Reading »

Advocates on both sides of the ethically charged debate over human embryonic stem cells hailed two breakthrough studies unveiled Tuesday that suggested simple human skin cells might one day lead to a vast array of new treatments without destroying embryos.

Until now, researchers hoping to use stem cells to create replacement organs and medicines for numerous diseases had assumed their best hope was with human embryonic stem cells, which have the flexibility to turn into any tissue type.

But the studies published in the journals, Cell and Science indicate that other cells plucked from a person’s hand or face may be just as useful. Continue Reading »

St. Teresa man recovering from spinal cord injury suffered in car accident

Michael Curran is inching his way back to independence.

Curran, 32, of St. Teresa says his busy recovery road since enduring a spinal cord injury in a car crash in May while on his way to work is overwhelming.

So much has been done —and a great deal more lies ahead — to deal with having become a quadriplegic seven months ago.
“It blows you away,” Curran said of all that needs to be done. Continue Reading »

Bills tight end Kevin Everett has been released from a Houston hospital to resume his next phase of rehab, 10 weeks since sustaining a severe spinal cord injury.

“While this news is a significant milestone for me, I still have a long journey to full recovery,” Everett said in a statement released Sunday by Houston’s Memorial Hermann/TIRR, where the player spent the past two months in rehab.

It was unclear when this week he was released, but Everett will continue his rehab at the facility as an outpatient. Continue Reading »