A clinical trial is planned by U. S. scientists to determine whether stem cells from umbilical cord blood can help children with cerebral palsy.

Researchers at Medical College of Georgia, said their study represents the first such U. S. Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical trial. The study will include 40 children age 2-12

whose parents have stored cord blood at the Cord Blood Registry in Tucson, Ariz.

Dr. James Carroll, a professor at the college's school of medicine and the principal investigator of the trial, said umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells, which can divide and morph into

different types of cells throughout the body. Cerebral palsy is caused by a brain injury or lack of oxygen in the brain.

Carroll further added that animal studies indicate that infused stem cells help injured brain cells recover and replace brain cells that have died.

While no controlled clinical trials have been conducted to date, Carroll said previous studies have shown marked improvement in children with cerebral palsy about three months after an initial

infusion of cord blood.

According to him," Evidence up to this point has been purely anecdotal. While a variety of cord blood stem cell therapies have been used successfully for more than 20 years, this study is

breaking new ground in advancing therapies for brain injury -- a condition for which there is currently no cure." (With Input from Agencies)