Stem cells used to bring back feeling for patients

Two out of three paralysed patients have found sensation in a previously numb area since receiving neural stem injections, following treatment from Californian company StemCells.

Touch and heat sensation was found six months after therapy for two of the patients between their chest and bellybutton. Unfortunately, the third has seen no change.

The patients were injected directly to the injured region of their spinal cord four to eight months after injury with stem cells donated from fetal brain tissue. These are the first of 12 who will eventually receive the therapy.

"We need to keep monitoring these patients to see if feeling continues to affect lower segments of their bodies," said Stephen Huhn of StemCells. "These are results after only six months, and we will follow these patients for many years."

It is hoped that once fully developed this therapy could one day become incorporated into the veterinary industry.