Ependyma & CSF & stem cells & ALS: Connect the dots

Public Release: 21-Jul-2016

Cerebrospinal fluid signals control the behavior of stem cells in the brain

University of Basel

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-07/uob-cfs072016.php

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Med Hypotheses. 2009 May;72(5):548-50. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2008.12.032. Epub 2009 Feb 5.

Experimental regimen targeting the ependyma slows disease progression in four patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Payne AG¹.

Author information

• ¹DrAGPayne@yahoo.com

Abstract

In this paper the author proposes that at least some forms of sporadic ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) arise due to the effects of neurotoxic compounds synthesized by defective ependymal cells in the brain. These cells produce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that is laden with neurotoxic compounds that bring about motor neuron die-off. Evidence is garnered from various animal studies to demonstrate the toxicity of CSF taken from ALS patients and by virtue of the proposed mechanism (defective ependymal cells). In addition, a regimen created by the author is introduced; a regimen that has been used by four (4) sporadic ALS patients since 2005 resulting in what appears to be a slowing of disease progression. All four patients have significantly outlived best estimates of their survival tendered by their neurologists.

PMID:

19200662

DOI:

10.1016/j.mehy.2008.12.032