Stem cells have shown potential as a treatment for spinal cord injuries, but researchers are discovering other types of injuries may also benefit. Keep in mind, we are discussing adult stem cells for the purposes of this blog. Adult stem cells are taken from the bone marrow of donors.

Researchers at Stanford University used stem cell treatments on 18 patients who had suffered strokes and the results were fascinating very promising for victims of brain injuries. Before we dive into the details, be warned that what you are about to read may make you a bit squeamish.

Participants had very small holes drilled into their heads, where researchers then injected damaged areas of the brain with adult stem cells. The surgery may sound risky, but researchers claimed participants suffered minor and nonthreatening problems, such as headaches. After being sent home, the participants were recalled for further testing at 1, 6 and 12 months to assess whether they improved.

How Adult Stem Cells Helped the Brain Repair Itself

To the amazement of researchers, some of the participants made unexpected recoveries. Researchers measured the rate of recovery using the Fugl-Meyer test, which tests the ability to move. Stroke survivors injected with stem cells made an 11.4-point improvement on this test.

A 71-year-old participant who had been bound to a wheelchair was able to walk again. In another case, a young woman who had suffered a stroke regained movement in limbs and recovered some ability to speak. Brain circuits that were thought to be ‘dead’ and incapable of recovery came back to life after the introduction of adult stem cells.

One of the amazing aspects of this trial is that it was meant to test the safety of injecting stem cells to heal brain injuries. The researchers were caught completely off guard by the improvements experienced by participants.