News

Intravenous injection of bone marrow derived stem cells (MSCs) in patients with spinal cord injuries led to significant improvement in motor functions, new research has found.

For more than half of the patients, substantial improvements in key functions — such as ability to walk, or to use their hands — were observed within weeks of stem cell injection, the study from Yale University reports.

A family whose beloved husband and father had a stroke are fundraising for the neurological centre where he currently resident, after being impressed by the “amazing” standards of care.

Fraser Millar needed life-saving brain surgery in November last year and is now in Woodlands Neurological Care Centre in York, receiving intensive rehabilitation to aid his recovery. Woodlands, a level two neurorehabilitation centre which is part of Active Care Group, specialises in maximising recovery and independence and sets patients rehabilitation goals that promote re-enablement and enhance quality of life.

A chemical commonly found in discarded waste from the sesame seed oil manufacturing process could have protective effects against Parkinson’s disease, new groundbreaking research has found.

Sesaminol, abundant in the empty shells of sesame seeds which are discarded after the fatty oils are extracted, could have a role to play in protecting against neuron damage in the brain, researchers from Osaka City University have revealed.

A man whose frustration at the lack of cohesion within stroke care spawned the development of an award-winning app has now developed a platform to enable this revolutionary approach to be extended throughout the neuro sector.

Neuro ProActive has been created to enable a fully multi-disciplinary approach to rehabilitation, covering both inpatient and community care and involving patients and their families in the process. Through the app, therapists can use end-to-end encrypted messaging and video calling to offer remote services and patient monitoring - factors which were planned before the pandemic, but have now taken on new importance within rehabilitation care.

Last month saw the publication of the UK Rare Diseases Framework, setting out the national vision on how the UK will improve the lives of people living with rare diseases.

Elysium Neurological welcomes this important publication which aims to ensure a coherent and streamlined way of diagnosing, treating and caring for patients who are living with a rare disease. By putting patients’ needs first and promoting collaboration between healthcare bodies and professionals, it is an important step towards ensuring that no-one living with a rare disease misses out on the vital care and support that they need.

After Craig Pankhurst had a stroke, he saw the need to promote a greater positive outlook amongst survivors. Here, the successful former athlete and businessman discusses his new venture - A Stroke of Luck, a charity dedicated to post-stroke exercise-based recovery - and why survivors need their very own A Teams.

With a background as an elite international swimmer and successful business owner, it’s little surprise that Craig Pankhurst is pushing forward his latest venture with the drive and determination which have been the staples of his professional life so far. But his latest venture is one with a difference - far from the high-pressured worlds of top-level sport and corporate demands, Craig is now creating significant momentum around a charity which seeks to support people in rebuilding their lives after a stroke.

The use of ‘telestroke’ is improving outcomes and survival chances for stroke patients, new research has concluded.

A newly-published study shows that people who receive stroke care at facilities that offer consultations via stroke telemedicine, known as telestroke, fare better than patients who get stroke care at places without such services. The study is the first analysis of telestroke patient outcomes. It shows that those who get care at hospitals that offer telemedicine for stroke assessment receive superior care and are more likely to survive strokes than patients who went to similar hospitals without telestroke services.

When David was left with a serious brain injury after a road collision, he faced a huge uphill battle to try and rebuild his life - but having achieved several milestones, including regaining the ability to talk, his progress continues. Here, his team at Askham Rehab tell David’s recovery story so far.

Having been left with a brain injury following a serious road collision, David is now rebuilding his life with the support of a specialist rehab community. It was in 2017 when David, a carpenter in his early 30s, was left with life-changing injuries when his car hit a lorry.

Football fan and specialist brain injury lawyer Ipek Tugcu has become a leading analyst of the concussion in sport debate. Here, she discusses the crucial issue of player safety with NR Times.

Whether you’re a football fan or not, you’re likely to have seen that the sport has recently been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The focus has been on how football has dealt with the increased risk of neurodegenerative disease suffered by professional players. The quick answer? Not well. I initially became involved in this campaign as I was a football fan and also work as a brain injury lawyer, representing those harmed by medical negligence or an accident.

Caffeine consumed during pregnancy can change important brain pathways that could lead to behaviour problems later in life, new research has concluded.

The study analysed thousands of brain scans from nine and ten-year-olds, and revealed changes in the brain structure in children who were exposed to caffeine in utero. "These are sort of small effects and it's not causing horrendous psychiatric conditions, but it is causing minimal but noticeable behavioural issues that should make us consider long-term effects of caffeine intake during pregnancy," says Professor John Foxe, director of the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester Medical Centre (URMC).