Ga. study to see if stem cells help stroke victims

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) The Georgia Health Sciences University is testing whether stem cells derived from bone marrow could help patients recover from a severe stroke.

The Augusta Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/zGfcJR) on Sunday that Dr. David Hess has been working with a firm called Athersys to help develop and test the cells. Hess is the chairman of the school's neurology department.

The cells used in the test are derived from healthy donors and packaged so they can be stored in most hospitals.

Researchers have been able to show a functional benefit from the cells in mice and rats. The clinical trial aims to see whether the stem cells can provide a benefit in patients who haven't seen much progress in the days after a stroke.