Posted on Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 12:12 p.m.
ALS clinical trial could move to University of Michigan Hospital
By Cole Bertsos
An Atlanta-based clinical trial possibly could be making a move to the University of Michigan, reported the Detroit Free Press.
The trial is the first of its kind and aims to halt progress of the degenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis — or ALS — more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease.
The procedure involves neural stem cells being injected directly into a patients spinal cord. Fifteen patients have undergone the surgery thus far.
Head of research and U-M Dr. Eva Feldman emphasized to the Free Press this trial still is strictly testing for safety, and cannot asses the success of treatment at this point.
The Food and Drug Administration continues to monitor the safety of the trial.
Comments
whatsupwithMI
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 10:32 a.m.
No reason for negative feedback, the primary reason to move the location of a safety trial is that subscribership isn't moving as fast as you want.
xmo
Sun, Aug 5, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.
More jobs?
whatsupwithMI
Mon, Aug 6, 2012 : 2:22 a.m.
Not really. See the earlier thread about what 'clinical trials' really are. Note this is just safety: that means "hey if we give these a few guys this treatment, do more fall over deceased in X time frame than with no- or current- treatment". Its even easier if there isn't a current treatment in this space for this medical issue. Probably the Atlanta-based trial realized their population of poor and desperate was mainly from the Midwest, why not have the central needle-sticking delivery nurses and paperwork happening here. Not many jobs created, but a chunk off the top of the trial funding as income for the administration at the U here. To be used for wine and dine of the administrators for the next trial they'd like to have moved.