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Stem Cells Showing Great Promise in Remyelinization - executive Order O.K.s Further Research A Guest Article by Daryl Clayton Kennedy There two important pieces of information one must grasp in order to understand how stem cells may unlock breakthrough in treating MS. The first is understanding how multiple sclerosis works. The second is understanding research must reach human trials. A compromise has to be bridged between pro life morality and recognizing the imperativeness of providing scientist the tools they need to accumulate precious knowledge. In all people, animals even plants there's an ornate ability to heal ourselves of bacterial infection. These intrusive microscopic "bugs" (bacteria) are usually defeated in an internal war which we rarely have the privilege of viewing. The troops in these wars are tiny little soldiers known as "T" Cells or Lymphocytes (a unique family of white blood cells). These warriors are normally welcomed protectors within our body although in the case of individuals suffering from MS, it's theorized these very cells my also be our enemy. Blood Brain Barrier Penetrated - Myelin Sheath Attacked - No Hope of Finding Cure Without Myelin Repair The integrity of the blood brain barrier is in most individuals impermeable to our immune cells. In the case of MSers, the barrier is some how weakened...(possibly due to infection or other undiscovered external anomalies) and immune cells are able to pass through the membrane only to become trapped once inside. When these cells enter white matter they simply are unable to differentiate between good and foreign cells. As an instinctive response they begin to attack the myelin sheath surrounding your nerve axons. This myelin is crucial in the proper conduction of electrical messages firing through your brain. When these impulses are disrupted as in the case of MSers... the symptoms may, will, and do plague you for life! Symptoms include: When these impulses are disrupted as in the case of MSers... the symptoms may, will, and do plague you for life! Symptoms include:
Until today there has been little hope of curing multiple sclerosis (MS) . One could only rely on palliative solutions to ease symptoms and transition into this new lifestyle. Mobility scooters and power chairs have been used to aid with movement due to the diseases devastating ambulatory effects. Some additional alternative treatments have been
The problem with these treatments as stated earlier, is they simply aim
to ease our transition into this lifestyle. Their scope does not include the
potential resolution of the problem through remyelinization - actual repair of
the damaged nerves. (Remyelinization is the process in which the sheath surrounding the nerve axon is some how repaired to allow normal signal transfer between nerves.) Laboratory Mice Prove Stem Cells Capable of Restoring Life into Damaged Myelin In 2004 scientists at the (RSNA) Radiological Society of North America where able to harvest a primitive form of MS known as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis or (eAe) for short. (eAe) is a working animal model of multiple sclerosis. It possesses characteristics remarkably similar to lesions and symptoms related to the human version of MS. Mice were injected first with the disease then monitored via use of MRI equipment. Then once found to poses this debilitating disease the mice where injected with (non-human) neural stem cells which according to the RSMA not only showed promise, these stem cells actually where able to restore "some" function in nerve cells, therefore greatly decreasing the symptoms. As people and mice are without question far apart in anatomy and brain function, there needs to be additional studies in assessing the symptoms and side effects of this non evasive procedure before human trials can safely be attempted. Ban Lifted on Federal Funding of embryonic Stem Cell Research - Paves Way For Human Trials! In 2001 the topic of embryonic stem cell research was a touchy subject to say the least. A ban was placed on research due to the argument that it was a direct infraction on human life. In 2007 that ban was amended and a law put in place that justified human stem cell research in embryos that where smaller than the head of a needle. These embryos must also be donated by in-vitro fertilization clinics and the cells must be created for the purpose of fertility treatment only. Then, once a woman is successfully fertilized, the “extra” cells could be donated for research. This Bill is now know as the Stem Cell Research enhancement Act of 2007. March 9, 2009 marked a day of joy for millions of Americans as the newly appointed administration gave a go-ahead for even further research, in hopes that our countries scientists will attack all avenues of this decease and find a cure! Interesting enough some of the most recent success comes from the United Kingdom where Dr. Doug Brown of the MS Society has been quoted in saying... "Stem cells are showing more and more potential in the
treatment of MS... and the challenge we now face is - proving...their
effectiveness in trials involving large numbers of people". In addressing this issue, some 21 MSers with (RRMS) Relapsing Remitting MS where given their own stem cells transplanted from their marrow and all participants where reported to have not digressed over a three year period! Though this may not be a miracle breakthrough, it's a far leap from our
progress 10 years ago. This is great news as it plants a spark of hope in the lives of some 2.3 million suspected MSers around the globe. About the Guest Author: Daryl Clayton Kennedy is the editor of disabledmobilityscooter.com which discusses disabled mobility scooters and is a regular contributor to mobility and health related blogs throughout the net. Daryl's 3 wheel scooter recommendations and mobility scooter reviews allow you insight on choosing the best mobility scooter for you or your loved one. Multiple Sclerosis Pages On My Site
A Special Note If You Jumped Into My Site This topic is just a part of my overall website. After you check out this topic, you might like to explore the rest of my site and get to know me better. I recommend that you start with my "Home" Page, then go to the "Front Door", then to "Stuff About Me" and finally, just explore the site. The buttons on the left will take you there. If You Would Like to Link to My Multiple Sclerosis Pages Many webmasters only want people to link to the "primary" page of a website. I have a different view. Because of the importance of Multiple Sclerosis to me I actually encourage other Multiple Sclerosis sites to link directly to my Multiple Sclerosis pages. Click here to find out my special requests for linking to my Multiple Sclerosis pages. Awards The following awards were awarded specifically for the
Directory Links This section of my site (James S. Huggins' Refrigerator Door: Multiple Sclerosis Pages), is listed in the following directories.
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Multiple Sclerosis and My
Life
