On January 19, 2009, ReNeuron, a British company received permission from the UK to begin studies on stem cell treatment for stroke victims. In the study, 12 stable stroke patients who have shown no improvement for 6 months, will receive neural stem cells injections through holes drilled into their skull. These stem cells, derived from embryonic stem cells, will hopefully differentiate into brain cells that have been permanently damaged by stroke.

The trials are due to start in the next 6 months. ReNeuron is hoping to win approval for similar trials here in the U.S. – in fact, it had submitted an application for this more than 2 years ago. Given the Obama administration’s support of embryonic stem cell research, this will hopefully be approved by the FDA in the near future.