Stem cells and stroke: are we further away than anyone is willing to admit?

Harnessing the potential of stem cells or other types of cell therapies to regenerate brain tissue lost from a stroke is a long way off, and a far more complicated process than is understood. There are critical safety issues regarding stem cells in stroke and many clinical trials have only just begun. We are at least 510 years away from knowing if cell therapies will improve clinical outcome in stroke patients. The use of stem cells in stroke therapy remains investigational only.