Washington, D.C.- A new technique that helps reprogram cells in the body is being used by scientists in to grow neurons for people stricken with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
This process offers a window into learning how the deadly disease works, and may give insights in eventual prevention or more effective treatment of the disease.
Lou Gehrig’s disease is a disease that attacks the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, and it affects as many as 30,000 Americans at any given time in the United States.
The scientists that are participating in this new ALS association sponsored study are hopeful, as any information or research that sheds light on how neurons operated and what relationship that cells and reprogrammed cells have to helping patients heal.
The study is co sponsored by the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, and they hope to study cells in the lab and then try to compare these cells with someone that doesn’t have the disease.
ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease is a slow developing but insidious disease and the new test neuron cells have not yet shown any signs of illness, but the research and promising new approach is continuing.