"It is well-known in the medical field that the pig brain shares certain physiological and anatomical similarities with the human brain. So similar are the two that researchers at the University of Georgia's Regenerative Bioscience Center have developed the first U.S. pig model for stroke treatments, which will provide essential preclinical data and speed the drug discovery process."

"A multicenter trial looking at whether a single dose of millions of adult, bone-marrow-derived stem cells can aid stroke recovery indicates it's safe and well-tolerated by patients but may not significantly improve their recovery within the first three months, researchers report."

"The results of a small clinical trial offer hope for people left with motor impairment following a stroke, after finding that an injection of adult stem cells into the brain restored motor function for such individuals, to the extent that some patients regained the ability to walk."

"People disabled by a stroke demonstrated substantial recovery long after the event when modified adult stem cells were injected into their brains."

"Forty patients will be involved in phase two, which is taking place at centres across the UK. The North East's only centre, which opened a month ago, is based in Newcastle. The second part of the trial will also involve a single injection of stem cells into a stroke patient's brain. This is done under anaesthetic and most patients stay in hospital for one to 2 days after treatment."