WOW-- Read this. Seems to me we have some success...

[balky]

Or as I call it..... Saturdays.

Amen brother, weekends here.

[double_pedro]

TJ's progress is very encouraging but spontaneous recovery does occur to some degree and statistics of very low numbers can be misleading. Nonetheless, to roughly put things into statistical perspective from what I've read on spontateous recovery:

It sounds as if TJ may be progressing from ASIA A to ASIA B. Statistically, there is about an 80% chance that ASIA A remains ASIA A 12 months post-injury, with 20% showing sponaneous improvement of at least one ASIA grade. Of the 20% that did improve, nearly 80% of these did so within the first 3 or 4 months. So, if TJ improved only recently, this would put him in the late improvement 20% of those that achieved some spontaeous recovery in the 1st 12 months. The point in all of this is that roughly speaking, I think the level and timing of TJ's progress would be expected spontaneously in about 4% of patients (20% of 20%). This is very encouraging for a single patient and if it is representaive of a benefit due to OPC1 it should be born out statistically in a relatively small number of treated patients. Should be very interesting.

BTW - Nice forum.

[Vzveteran]

That sounds encouraging. Are you a physician pedro?

[eigenman]

TJ's progress is very encouraging but spontaneous recovery does occur to some degree and statistics of very low numbers can be misleading. Nonetheless, to roughly put things into statistical perspective from what I've read on spontateous recovery:

It sounds as if TJ may be progressing from ASIA A to ASIA B. Statistically, there is about an 80% chance that ASIA A remains ASIA A 12 months post-injury, with 20% showing sponaneous improvement of at least one ASIA grade. Of the 20% that did improve, nearly 80% of these did so within the first 3 or 4 months. So, if TJ improved only recently, this would put him in the late improvement 20% of those that achieved some spontaeous recovery in the 1st 12 months. The point in all of this is that roughly speaking, I think the level and timing of TJ's progress would be expected spontaneously in about 4% of patients (20% of 20%). This is very encouraging for a single patient and if it is representaive of a benefit due to OPC1 it should be born out statistically in a relatively small number of treated patients. Should be very interesting.

BTW - Nice forum.

How do they determine if the cells have functioned correctly? Is there a non invasive way to see the cells?

[JHam]

I am excited for TJ, I am very happy for Geron, and extremely pleased with what we know so far about this first trial using hESCs. But, I still think ACT and its RPE program will be the first to show more conclusive results.

[double_pedro]

How do they determine if the cells have functioned correctly? Is there a non invasive way to see the cells?

They do have info from the MRIs which adds a clue...the patients should be getting regular MRIs (9 in total as I recall Dr. O stating at some point) as well as monthly exams, etc. The MRIs should show (changes in) the size of the demyelinated area of the injury and this can be correlated with neurological or motor changes. They saw the demyelinated region shrink in the rat studies. I wonder if TJ gets any feedback on his MRIs.

That sounds encouraging. Are you a physician pedro?

No, I'm not a physician...just an interested investor.

[eigenman]

They do have info from the MRIs which adds a clue...the patients should be getting regular MRIs (9 in total as I recall Dr. O stating at some point) as well as monthly exams, etc. The MRIs should show (changes in) the size of the demyelinated area of the injury and this can be correlated with neurological or motor changes. They saw the demyelinated region shrink in the rat studies. I wonder if TJ gets any feedback on his MRIs.



No, I'm not a physician...just an interested investor.

demyelinated area I assume means the damaged area?

Edit: Also TJ has said that he hasn't been told anything yet from "The Corporation" about his condition. So I doubt MRI data was given to him.

[catchall]

demyelinated area I assume means the damaged area?

Edit: Also TJ has said that he hasn't been told anything yet from "The Corporation" about his condition. So I doubt MRI data was given to him.

meylinated nerve cells conduct impulses faster. the cells grow from the last intact synapse forward. to grow through the tissues that are present is amazing wonderful GOD induced healing.

ACT does not have these complicated issues. A cell layer is failing and ACT is replicaing the potential for it to heal.

Before WWII there were no antibiotics the mainstay of medicine infection control. There were blood sucking leeches. Stem cell science will become part of the doctors kit of wonders and many believe Gods grace and wisdom granted health cures.

Humanity is the instrument that God uses.......