Stem cells used to cure paralysis in rats
{{date|June 26, 2006}}

Dr. Douglas Kerr, a neurologist at [[w:Johns Hopkins University|Johns Hopkins University]], has recently led a research team to identify enough of the chemicals necessary to regrow [[w:motor neurons|motor neurons]].  They have succeeded in partially restoring paralyzed [[w:rats|rats]]' ability to walk.

These results represent major progress towards curing many nerve-related problems in [[w:humans|humans]], such as [[w:Lou Gehrig's disease|Lou Gehrig's disease]] and [[w:spinal cord|spinal cord]] injuries.  However, Dr. Karr emphasized that it will be many years before any possible treatments for humans become available.

Dr. Naomi Keitman of the [[w:NIH|National Institutes of Health]]'s [[w:neurology|neurology]] division said "They did something that people have been trying to do for at least 30 years and literally hit a brick wall until now."  

The research will be published in the [[w:Annals of Neurology|Annals of Neurology]].

==Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.forbes.com/technology/feeds/ap/2006/06/20/ap2828439.html
|title=Stem Cells Help Repair Rats' Paralysis 
|author=Lauran Neergaard
|pub=Forbes
|date=June 20, 2006}}
* {{source|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060622/rat_paralysis_060622/20060622?hub=Health
|title=Scientists make strides repairing rat paralysis
|author=
|pub=Associated Press
|date=June 22, 2006}}


[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Health]]
[[Category:National Institutes of Health]]

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[[fr:Des cellules souches utilisées pour soigner la paralysie chez le rat]]
Dr. Douglas Kerr, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins University, has recently led a research team to identify enough of the chemicals necessary to regrow motor neurons.  They have succeeded in partially restoring paralyzed rats' ability to walk.

These results represent major progress towards curing many nerve-related problems in humans, such as Lou Gehrig's disease and spinal cord injuries.  However, Dr. Karr emphasized that it will be many years before any possible treatments for humans become available.

Dr. Naomi Keitman of the National Institutes of Health's neurology division said "They did something that people have been trying to do for at least 30 years and literally hit a brick wall until now."  

The research will be published in the Annals of Neurology.
Science and technology United States Health National Institutes of Health