Scientists at Southern General Hospital, Glasgow are developing a new stem cell treatment to repair brain damage in stroke patients. More than 130,000 people suffer a stroke in Britain every year, half of whom die. Physiotherapy (physical therapy) is the only therapy available for the treatment of permanently disabled.

The new treatment involves injecting stem cells from aborted foetus into the brain of stroke victims. Researchers say that these cells, which can renew themselves, will regenerate areas damaged by stroke, and increase patients' movements and mental abilities.

The clinical trails will begin in 2010 during which four groups of three patients each would be given the treatment over the next two years. The study subjects will be given a low dose of two million foetal stem cells initially rising to 20 million later.

Dr. Keith Muir, Senior Lecturer in Neurology at the University of Glasgow, lead researcher said: "If it works, as it has done in animal model systems, it may allow new nerve cells to grow or regeneration of existing cells and actual recovery of function."