Neuralstem Stem Cells Survive and Differentiate Into Neurons in Rats With Stroke
IMPROVED MOTOR FUNCTION OBSERVED
ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Neuralstem,
Inc. (NYSE Amex: CUR) announced that its spinal cord stem cells
survived in rat brains affected by stroke and differentiated
predominantly into neurons. The transplanted animals showed
significant improvement in some motor skill and strength
measurements. The study entitled, "Intracerebral Implantation of
Adherent Human Neural Stem Cells To Reverse Motor Deficits in
Chronic Stroke Rats," was presented earlier today by senior study
author, Dr. Shinn-Zong Lin, M.D., Ph.D., at the Stem Cells USA
& Regenerative Medicine Conference (http://www.terrapinn.com/2010/stemcellsusa/conf.stm),
in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Lin is a Professor of Neurosurgery and
Vice Superintendent at China Medical University Hospital of
Taiwan.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20061221/DCTH007LOGO ) (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061221/DCTH007LOGO )
"This animal study shows the potential promise of this cell line
in treating post-stroke symptoms," Dr. Lin commented. "Four weeks
after transplantation, the rats treated with Neuralstem's cells
showed significantly decreased asymmetric body swing, increased
vertical movements and increased grip strength, compared with the
control group."
"Dr. Lin's findings represent a significant milestone for
Neuralstem. They are the first to show how our human spinal
cord-derived stem cell product, NSI-566RSC, currently in a clinical
trial for ALS, and which we expect to be in another clinical trial
for spinal cord injury, also works in the stroke brain," said Dr.
Karl Johe, Ph.D., Neuralstem's Chief Scientific Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Our proposed treatment for
paralysis due to stroke will involve transplantation near the motor
tracts close to the stroke lesion in the brain in order to promote
regeneration and repair. While the trial protocol for ALS and
chronic spinal cord injury involves transplantation into the spinal
cord, and that for stroke will involves transplantation into the
brain, we are nevertheless targeting the circuitry that controls
motor function in each indication. We are developing clinical
programs for stroke in both the U.S. and Taiwan, and hope to start
our first trial in 2011."
About Neuralstem
Neuralstem's patented technology enables the ability to produce
neural stem cells of the human brain and spinal cord in commercial
quantities, and the ability to control the differentiation of these
cells constitutively into mature, physiologically relevant human
neurons and glia. Neuralstem is in a FDA-approved Phase I safety
clinical trial for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often
referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.
In addition to ALS, the company is also targeting major central
nervous system diseases, including traumatic spinal cord injury,
ischemic spastic paraplegia, and Huntington's disease. The company
has also submitted an IND (Investigational New Drug) application to
the FDA for a Phase I safety trial in chronic spinal cord
injury.
Through its proprietary screening technology, Neuralstem has
discovered and patented compounds that may stimulate the brain's
capacity to generate new neurons, possibly reversing the
pathologies of some central nervous system conditions. Neuralstem
plans to initiate clinical trials with its lead compound to treat
major depression and potentially other diseases, such as
schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury,
posttraumatic stress syndrome, and stroke.
For more information, please go to www.neuralstem.com Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information
This news release may contain forward-looking statements made
pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such
forward-looking statements in this press release regarding
potential applications of Neuralstem's technologies constitute
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties,
including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development
and commercialization of potential products, uncertainty of
clinical trial results or regulatory approvals or clearances, need
for future capital, dependence upon collaborators and maintenance
of our intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ
materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking
statements. Additional information on potential factors that could
affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed
from time to time in Neuralstem's periodic reports, including the
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009,
and in its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June
30, 2010.
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http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20061221/DCTH007LOGO
Source: Neuralstem, Inc.
CONTACT: Meg McElroy, Shareholder Relations, +1-301-366-4960,
Deanne
Eagle, Media Relations, +1-917-837-5866, Susan Roush, Investor
Relations,
+1-818-222-8330, all of Neuralstem, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.neuralstem.com/
Posted: September 2010
