Gene therapy can help children with incurable neurological diseases

Scientists conducted an experimental gene therapy that has helped eight children with incurable neurological diseases (infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis), but may have also caused the death of a child, according to the BBC. Scientists believe that this treatment is safe and can be tried out on a large number of children. The treatment consists in the fact that the virus carrying the corrective gene injected directly into the brain and slows the development of the disease in 8 of 10 children, said researchers from the New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Children with LINCL first signs of the disease in about 4 years. Children lose coordination, vision and speech and usually die from what is not breathing on her own at the age of 10-12 years. A study of a child experienced seizures during the week after treatment and died and another child died of unknown causes two years after treatment. Eight children, the disease is no longer a normal speed and slow progress in development. Scientists think this is a very good result and can help to save the lives of sick children.