Embryonic Stem Cells Awaken Latent Nerve Repair

Damage to nerve cells in the adult central nervous system may not be irreversible after all! This article describes a new break through in restoring lost nerve function. Through the use of stem cells, a team of Johns Hopkins scientists have reports that they have engineered fully working motor neuron circuits — neurons stretching from spinal cord to target muscles — in paralyzed adult animals. In one study…they injected the cells into paralyzed rats and within 3 months many were able to move their hind limbs and walk. This is really exciting because it’s seems that science is on the right track towards one day repairing damage from disease like ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and Multiple Sclerosis as well as traumatic spinal cord injury! Enjoy!
http://www.jhu.edu/gazette/2006/26jun06/26stem.html