Abstract: Blood brain barrier (BBB) permeabilizers, such as mannitol, can facilitate the entry of stem cells from the periphery to the stroke brain. It is unknown whether BBB permeation in the chronic stage of the disease still facilitates the entry of stem cells from the periphery to the injured brain. Evidence herein shows BBB permeation in the chronic stage of stroke assisted in the entry of stem cells from the periphery to the stroke brain. Stroke models treated with human umbilical cord stem cells (hUCBC) only (2 million viable cells), mannitol or a combination. Results revealed that hUCBC alone or combined with mannitol displayed significant behavioral and histological deficits compared to control animals, with the HUCBC-mannitol combined treatment showing improvements over hUCBC only treatments in brain cell survival in the peri-infarct area. BBB permeation in chronic stroke also lowers the effective stem cell dose necessary to improve functional outcomes.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of diagnosing or prognosing an epilepsy or epilepsy-related disorder. Also provided herein is a method of treating an epilepsy or epilepsy-related disorder. Further provided are non-epileptic and epileptic neural stem cells and cell cultures.

Abstract: Most spinal cord therapies are administered systemically, with only a small portion of the therapeutic reaching the spinal cord. A novel method for delivering therapeutics directly to the spinal cord is provided. The method uses a dual balloon catheter to isolate the microvasculature around a region of the spinal cord. Once isolated, one or more therapeutics are delivered directly to the spinal cord blood supply. This allows for smaller, safer therapeutic dose to be utilized.

Abstract: A combined therapy of human umbilical cord blood cells (hUCB) and G-CSF at the acute stage of TBI was tested as a therapeutic for progressive secondary effects of chronic TBI. Rats were treated with saline carrier, or therapeutic in carrier as follows; G-CSF, hUCB, or hUCB and G-CSF, 7-days after TBI. Eight weeks later, behavioral testing was performed and brains harvested to analyze hippocampal cell loss, neuroinflammatory response, and neurogenesis. Results revealed that the monotherapies partially suppressed neuroinflammation and reduced hippocampal cell loss. However, combined therapy of hUCB and G-CSF robustly dampened neuroinflammation, while enhancing endogenous neurogenesis and reducing hippocampal cell loss. Vigorous and long-lasting recovery of motor function accompanied the combined therapy, which was either moderately or short-lived in the monotherapy conditions.

Abstract: Most spinal cord therapies are administered systemically, with only a small portion of the therapeutic reaching the spinal cord. A novel method for delivering therapeutics directly to the spinal cord is provided. The method uses a duel-balloon catheter to isolate the microvasculature around a region of the spinal cord. Once isolated, one or more therapeutics are delivered directly to the spinal cord blood supply. This allows for smaller, safer therapeutic does to be utilized.

Abstract: Blood brain barrier (BBB) permeabilizers, such as mannitol, can facilitate the entry of stem cells from the periphery to the stroke brain. It is unknown whether BBB permeation in the chronic stage of the disease still facilitates the entry of stem cells from the periphery to the injured brain. Evidence herein shows BBB permeation in the chronic stage of stroke assisted in the entry of stem cells from the periphery to the stroke brain. Stroke models treated with human umbilical cord stem cells (hUCBC) only (2 million viable cells), mannitol or a combination. Results revealed that hUCBC alone or combined with mannitol displayed significant behavioral and histological deficits compared to control animals, with the HUCBC-mannitol combined treatment showing improvements over hUCBC only treatments in brain cell survival in the peri-infarct area. BBB permeation in chronic stroke also lowers the effective stem cell dose necessary to improve functional outcomes.