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Stem
Cells
We
contacted Jeff Macklis of
Harvard
ref11,
Clive Svendsen of UWM
ref12,
and Doug Kondziolka of
Pitt
ref13.
In particular I talked
with Doug about the first
implantation of Neural
Cells into the adult
brain. Doug's study proved
that cells could be
implanted in the brain
safely. It also showed
using FDG Pet that the
area around the
implantation showed
increased metabolism. Doug
and I quickly came to the
same conclusion that this
did not imply that the
implanted cells grew. It
only implied that
something caused increased
metabolic activity. We
agreed that it could be a
placebo effect caused by
the stroke victims desire
to recover and hope that
the surgery has done
something to help them.
Also, it appears that the
implantation of cells
triggered the production
of neurotrophins. Finally,
the most important finding
of this study is that even
with new brain tissue,
rehabilitation was needed
to teach the cells how to
be functional. This
conclusion has been the
most powerful finding that
has come out of my stem
cell research. It is
shared by all those that I
speak to... new cells are
not enough, you must teach
them to regain any
function lost.
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