From Bangalore, India comes the first successful stem cell therapy for traumatic brain injury in the country. Bone marrow was transplanted directly into the brain of a woman suffering from diffuse axonal brain injury, which is a severe form of brain injury where the patient remains unconscious for a variable period. In this case, she had remained in a coma for more than three months. N K Venkataramana, chief neurosurgeon of BGS Hospitals, confirmed that this is the first such attempt in India and second in the world.

In the surgery done in March, four million stem cells per body weight were injected directly into her brain. After a month of the transplant, the patient showed considerable improvement. She became conscious, started talking and could move her limbs. She was also able to recognize family members and friends.

Venkataramana said this proves that brain injuries may be curable. “The need to help accident victims led us to work on stem cell therapy,” he added. “Since 2004, there has been a pressing need to help the rising number of people who were disabled following road accidents. Stem cell therapy was one of the means to face the situation,” he explained. “We’re planning to carry out a pilot study in treating head injuries with stem cells.”