Human Cord Blood Improves Brain Function after Stroke

Henry Ford News

In the study led by Michael Chopp, Ph.D., scientific director of the Henry Ford Neuroscience Institute, rats injected with umbilical cord blood cells 24 hours after the onset of stroke showed dramatic improvement in recovery two to three weeks later...

Human Cord Blood Improves Brain Function after Stroke Henry Ford News, December 12th, 2001  


Human umbilical cord blood cells may become a new source for treatment of stroke based on recent laboratory findings developed at Henry Ford Hospital. 
The results were published in a recent issue of Stroke, a journal of the American Heart Association.  
In the study led by Michael Chopp, Ph.D., scientific director of the Henry Ford Neuroscience Institute, rats injected with umbilical cord blood cells 24 hours after the onset of stroke showed dramatic improvement in recovery two to three weeks later. For instance, rats that lost motor skills from the stroke were later able to run on a treadmill as a result of this treatment. 
“Stem cells collected from umbilical cord blood are able to travel to the stroke-damaged area of the brain and act as a source to help restore the function lost by brain cells that died or were injured by the stroke,” said Dr. Chopp.  
The rat model of stroke is considered ideal for experimental research as the effects of stroke in people are similar to those seen in rats. 
These laboratory research findings indicate the need to develop of new clinical trials for people with stroke, according to Dr. Chopp. Cord blood cells have a potentially wider window of opportunity to help people with stroke compared to the current use of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) which must be administered within three hours of the onset of stroke. 
Collection of umbilical cord blood after birth does not harm newborns in any way and is a blood source that is usually discarded.     
Henry Ford News www.henryfordhospital.com