Stem Cells...What Are They Good for Now?

While reading through one of my recent professional journals (doesn't that sound fun!), I came across an article on a new cord blood study that is underway. So we've heard about stem cells from the umbilical cord being involved in therapies for individuals with cerebral palsy, brain injury, and juvenile diabetes; but, what if I told you they may now play a role in...hearing loss??

As of right now, the only treatments that we have for sensory neural hearing loss (the kind of hearing loss that happens when your inner ear is damaged. You know, like from standing too close to the speakers at the Metallica concert you attended in Middle School) are hearing aids or cochlear implants. This new study is using stem cell implants, from the child's own umbilical cord blood,  in children ages 6 weeks to 18 months to improve hearing loss. The theory is that the stem cells will regenerating hair cells in the inner ear. This means that there may be a potential of this study offering a nonsurgical treatment option to hearing loss in young children. It also would be the first treatment to potentially "fix" the damage inside the ear! How exciting is that?!?

If you just cant get enough of this topic ;), or to read more about possible advantages and disadvantages of cord blood. Click the links below.

Sarahv

http://www.cordblood.com/stem-cell-research/cord-blood-research/hearing-loss

http://www.ehow.com/about_5106120_disadvantages-cord-blood.html