+ Technology/Innovation
Jamie Barrand | Nov 5, 2015

Study: Human umbilical cord blood cells may be beneficial for Alzheimer's patients

A team of researchers in Tampa, Fla., have developed what may be a viable treatment for patients living with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

For their study, the team injected human umbilical blood cells (HUCBCs) into mice modeled with Alzheimer's. The findings indicated that the HUCBCs attached to brain tissue and stayed for as long as 30 days. No tumor growth was observed. 

"Our previous studies with AD modeled mice demonstrated that multiple intravenous injections of HUCBCs can reduce behavioral impairment, mitigate amyloid-plaque formation and modulate the immune response," the study's lead author, Dr. Jared Ehrhart of Saneron, CCEL Therapeutics Inc., said. "In this study, we attempted to ascertain the distribution of HUCBCs in multiple organs, tumorigenic potential of the cells, and ability of the cells to infiltrate the brain parenchyma."

The study also showed that HUCBCs remained in the central nervous system for at least one month after transplantation and that intravenous injection could be used.

"HUCBCs may confer therapeutic effects through modulation of the inflammatory response that becomes up-regulated after the onset of AD," the researchers said.

Findings from the study are set to be published in Cell Transplantation.

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