Project Description
Challenge
For most children with cerebral palsy (CP), their condition began before birth, likely due to a condition resulting in the delayed growth of the fetus. But ground-breaking findings from the CP research team, led by neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Fehlings, have demonstrated that neural stem cell therapy could be an option for treating CP.
Project Summary
In the first research phase, the team developed rodent models of brain injury that mimic the injury frequently seen in CP patients. Early findings suggested that injecting stem cells in the brains of these mice can restore normal conductivity in damaged nerve cells leading to significant functional recovery.
Building on this work, in Cycle II researchers, began developing human-derived stem cells designed specifically for treating cerebral palsy. These human stem cells can repair and regenerate the white matter of the brain despite the harsh cerebral environment. Called CMaRT (Cortical Microenvironment modifying and Regenerative Therapeutic), these human stem cells are the first in the world to be specifically designed for the treatment of CP.
Result
Researchers are confident that this technology will form the basis for a new generation of regenerative therapy for the treatment of chronic CP and have already submitted key patents.
Additionally, the key to any development of human stem cells for the treatment of CP is a relevant model of immunodeficient rodents that can permit the transplantation and testing of human stem cells. The Fehlings Lab has developed and tested this model, which will aid the continued development of human stem cells for chronic CP. This second paper from their work is currently under final review.
The Fehlings Lab is well on their way to accomplishing their goal to develop, test, and bring to clinical trial new therapies that can improve the lives of children with CP.
Funding
This subproject was part of the larger “Cerebral Palsy Discovery Program.” The CP program was funded a total of $1,281,909 from the Kids Brain Health Network and $2,296,662 from participating partners.
Team
Michael Fehlings, Toronto Western Hospital
Partners
Ontario Brain Institute (OBI)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Halbert Chair in Neural Repair and Regeneration
