According to the National Stroke Association, strokes rank as the third leading cause of death in the United States and serve as a leading cause of disability in adults.¹  There are two ways that a stroke can occur: a blood clot blocks an artery or a blood vessel ruptures. Once a pathway to the brain is blocked or damaged, brain cells start to die—causing brain damage. And until recently, many scientists believed that damage to the brain was irreversible. But studies on the effects of cord blood stem cells on rats are showing otherwise further supporting the potential role for the use of a child’s own cord blood in treating Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy, a common cause of cerebral palsy, caused by a stroke at birth.

In several studies performed since 2001, scientists induced strokes in mice and administered human cord blood stem cells within 24–48 hours. Scientists reported seeing:

• The development of new nerve tissues ³
• Improvement on behavioral tests ⁴
• Some functional recovery ⁵

Scientists have also found that cord blood stem cells can aid anticoagulant stroke treatment in rats. Currently, there is a 3-hour window for patients who’ve had a stroke to receive an anticoagulant treatment, which can limit the damage caused by a stroke. Most patients do not get treatment within this window. However, as evidenced in a 2008 study, with the administration of cord blood stem cells, this window of treatment may be extended 24–72 hours post-stroke.⁶

Though further studies will be needed to truly understand the effects of cord blood on adult stroke patients, the results show enough promise to continue research. And ongoing studies at Duke University, treating children with cerebral palsy with their own cord blood, may be the most practical approach to translating this research into benefits for children. Scientists admit that they aren’t entirely sure how stem cells work to help the brain. However, with advances being made in cord blood therapy, this research could continue to shed light upon the effects of cord blood treatments on children and adults with brain damage and heart disease.

Learn about how cord blood stem cells may help end-stage cardiac patients —which can potentially help patients at risk of stroke. And tell us what you want to know!

What new research are you most interested in learning about in upcoming blogs?

1. The National Stroke Association. “Stroke 101.” http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?pagename=STROKE
2. Peterson, Daniel A. “Umbilical cord blood cells and brain stroke injury: Bringing in fresh blood to address an old problem.” Journal of Clinical Investigation. http://www.jci.org/articles/view/22540
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Bie, Gabi de. “Stem Cell Therapy for Stroke” http://www.regenecell.com/article-stem-cell-therapy-for-stroke.htm
6. Ibid.

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