Stroke

Cardiomyopathy Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke)

Stroke is caused by the blockage or rupture of blood vessels that supply the brain, causing a sudden loss of oxygen to the victim’s brain cells. Brain cells within the vicinity of the broken vessel are damaged within minutes and begin to die within hours. Stroke victims often experience a loss of body function and, depending upon the brain region affected, can suffer partial paralysis and sensory defects.

Human and Social Costs

• The American Heart Association estimates that 2% of the U.S. population, or 5.9 million people, have suffered a stroke.
• Although heart disease and stroke are often thought to primarily affect men and older people, they are also major killers of women and people in the prime of life.
• 3rd most deadly disease in the US
• Leading cause of serious disability in the US

Potential for Cures

Regenerative medicine technologies are bringing new hope for repairing the debilitating effects of stroke through the use of living cells and tissues. Eight (8) companies are sponsoring with 10 enrolling, ongoing, or completed clinical trials studying the use of autologous or allogeneic mesenchymal bone marrow cells, neural stem cells, and human-placenta derived cells to restore damaged brain tissue. Read more about stroke and regenerative medicine.