Ordinary cells may divide a few times, but they lack the potential to produce large numbers of cells by division. When Dr. Snyder transplanted stem cells into the brain of newborn mice, the cells spread throughout the growing brain without disrupting the normal structure of the brain. The cells supplied normal beta-glucuronidase enzyme activity to the brain in amounts that were ought to be more than enough to prevent MPS VII from developing It is not clear yet whether there was definite clinical benefit to the mice, but initial examinations of the mice were promising. Experiments with other mice showed that these stem cells could also supply HEX A, the enzyme missing in Tay-Sachs disease. These experiments are very promising but the work with cell transplantation is at an early stage.
Many questions remain.
Clearly, more research is required. But these experiments give renewed hope that a way will be found to at least treat Late Onset Tay-Sachs disease. We will continue to follow Dr. Snyder,s work with great interest. She is getting married on April 5, 1997. The fact that I have Late Onset Tay-Sachs never seems to matter to her.