Ischaemic stroke is a major cause of disability and incapacity in young people and adults. Causes of ischaemic stroke include inadequate blood flow through a specific area of the brain or obstruction of the main arteries supplying the brain.

Scientific research has shown that stem cells circulate in the blood throughout our body and their numbers can fluctuate. In response to physiological or pathophysiological (trauma, inflammation or organ damage) stress, more stem cells are released from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood.

In the results of ischaemic stroke, stem cells of neural tissue are released even from very distant locations. These cells are attracted to the damaged tissue by specific mediators such as cytokines, haemokines and interleukins.

Stem cells can take an active part in the physiological mechanisms of regeneration of damaged neural tissue. Most of the spectacular effects of stem cell therapy are observed in animal models.

In humans, only partial neurological improvement has been demonstrated. There is no doubt that further research is needed both in animal models and in people with ischaemic stroke. Preliminary studies clearly indicate the enormous potential of stem cells in both repair and regeneration processes.