FDA Approves a Novel Clinical Trial to Use Stem Cells for Autism Treatment
The FDA has approved the first clinical trial to determine the safety and efficacy of cord blood stem cells in the treatment of autism. The study, undertaken by Sutter Neuroscience Institute and Cord Blood Registry, will enroll thirty autistic children, aged between two and seven, who will receive two infusions of cord blood over thirteen months. Researchers leading the study hypothesize that some forms of autism are caused by immune system dysfunction, which may be alleviated by stem cell treatment.