Transplant hope for stroke sufferers

July 27, 2004 | Source: Nature Science Update

Transplants of human fetal stem-cells may help repair stroke-induced brain damage.

Fetal stem cells have advantages over adult and embryonic alternatives. Adult stem cells do exist in the brain, but they are difficult to obtain, survive less well after transplantation and may be less versatile than their younger counterparts.

Another approach would be to add a gene to the stem cells that boosts growth and prevents the formation of genetic defects.