New line of treatment found for cerebral palsy
April 7th, 2008 - 12:58 pm ICT by admin
Sydney, April 7 (IANS) There is hope for children who suffer brain damage due to oxygen deprivation during birth, according to a new study. Oxygen deprivation afflicts up to six children per 1,000 in developed countries and can cause conditions such as cerebral palsy. Existing treatments to prevent nerve cell damage are not too successful.
The study, by University of Otago researchers, outlines a new approach that combines two therapies. It could help heal damaged nerve cells and restore motor function.
The findings of the study have been published in the latest edition of the journal Brain Pathology.
Led by scientist Dorothy Oorschot, the study says the two existing treatments results in only modest improvement in patients.
But when used together, it was found that the nerve cells were protected and fine motor skills preserved after moderate brain injury from oxygen deprivation. The researchers are now focusing on refining the combination of the two treatments to provide the most effective results.
“We are hopeful that this combined treatment might one day be able to rescue completely damaged nerve cells and restore motor function to normal levels in affected babies,” Oorschot said.
- Cell transplants to cure cerebral palsy - Apr 20, 2010
- Stress likely to reduce brain size of preterm babies - Oct 04, 2011
- Cutting edge drug to protect brain from stroke - Mar 01, 2012
- Mole-rats' secret can help brain survive in oxygen scarcity - Feb 27, 2012
- EPO doping 'can cut cerebral malaria related deaths' - Apr 22, 2011
- New therapy could restore mobility in stroke victims - Nov 08, 2010
- Now stem cell treatment for paralysed patients - Aug 18, 2010
- Transcranial magnetic brain stimulation key to treating brain disorders - Jan 29, 2011
- Novel gene therapy shows promise against Alzheimer's - Mar 05, 2011
- Stem cell implants can heal traumatic brain injury - Jan 16, 2012
- Vitamin C hastens brain tumour's death - Feb 20, 2012
- Drug reverses damage caused by seizures: US study - Jan 02, 2012
- Surgical procedure repairs severed nerves - Feb 03, 2012
- Malaria-infected cells stiffen, block blood flow to brain and other organs - Dec 21, 2010
- Discovery of key pathway interaction paves way for brain growth therapies - Sep 17, 2010
Tags: babies, brain damage, brain injury, brain pathology, cerebral palsy, combination of the two, developed countries, nerve cell damage, nerve cells, new approach, oxygen deprivation, scientist, sydney