A groundbreaking study emerging from Japan has unveiled promising advancements in the treatment of cerebral palsy, a debilitating neurological disorder primarily caused by brain injury sustained before or during birth. This condition leads to impaired posture and movement, traditionally without a cure, often diagnosed only after noticeable motor deficits manifest in children. Researchers from Nagoya University Hospital have pioneered an innovative stem cell therapy utilizing cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED), which may revolutionize treatment for chronic-phase cerebral palsy patients.
The essence of cerebral palsy lies in the damage to the brain’s motor control centers, frequently triggered by hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)—a reduction in oxygen and blood flow to the brain during the perinatal period. This brain injury results in persistent motor impairments and cognitive challenges. Despite advances in neonatal intensive care, effective interventions that reverse or significantly mitigate these deficits remain elusive, particularly once the condition progresses into the chronic phase.
In a novel approach, the Japanese research team harnessed the regenerative potential of SHED, stem cells harvested from baby teeth naturally shed in childhood. These cells circumvent the ethical dilemmas associated with embryonic or fetal stem cells, while offering a unique secretory profile rich in neurotrophic factors such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). The investigation, published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy, detailed an in-depth exploration into the efficacy of SHED transplantation, applied well after the initial injury phase, challenging the prevailing notion that such therapies must occur immediately after brain insult to be effective.
To rigorously evaluate this therapeutic strategy, the researchers developed a rat model simulating hemiplegic cerebral palsy by inducing unilateral hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats. This model reliably recapitulates motor impairment analogous to the human condition. After allowing the injury to progress into the chronic phase—comparable to pre-adolescent stages in humans—the team administered intravenous SHED at multiple intervals. The treated animals exhibited significantly improved motor coordination and learning capabilities compared to untreated controls, suggesting that stem cell therapy can restore neurological function even after deficits have become established.
Functional assessments deployed included the horizontal ladder test, which measures skilled locomotion by counting foot slips on irregularly spaced rungs, and the cylinder test, evaluating forelimb use preference—a surrogate marker for motor asymmetry. Additionally, cognitive function was examined via the shuttle avoidance test, showing enhanced learning and memory in the SHED-treated group. These behavioral improvements were substantiated with advanced in vivo imaging techniques utilizing quantum dot-labeled stem cells, confirming that systemically administered SHED cells migrate and home to the brain’s injured regions, a critical prerequisite for therapeutic action.
Complementary in vitro studies compared SHED to other stem cell types such as bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and dermal fibroblasts. The findings revealed that SHED outperformed other cells in promoting proliferation of neural stem cells through paracrine mechanisms associated with high secretion of HGF. This growth factor plays a pivotal role in neurogenesis and neural protection, positing that SHED’s therapeutic benefits are largely mediated by stimulating endogenous repair pathways rather than mere cellular replacement.
Clinical translation of these results is already underway. Nagoya University Hospital has initiated a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of autologous SHED infusion in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This study represents the critical first step before large-scale efficacy trials can be conducted. Success in these trials could pave the way for the first regenerative medicine approach to not only halt but potentially reverse motor and cognitive deficits in cerebral palsy, a condition affecting two to three per 1,000 live births worldwide.
Beyond the clinical implications, this research offers profound insight into the window of therapeutic opportunity in cerebral palsy. The demonstration that stem cell therapy is effective even in the chronic phase challenges longstanding paradigms restricting treatment to the acute or subacute period. This could broaden access to potentially transformative therapies for patients who currently have limited options due to delayed diagnosis or progression of symptoms.
The collaborative efforts between Nagoya University’s medical researchers and the innovative biotechnology company S-Quatre exemplify the integration of academic science with commercial development pathways. Such partnerships are crucial for advancing stem cell technologies from bench to bedside, ensuring rigorous quality control and standardized manufacturing of cell-based therapeutics.
While the mechanistic underpinnings require further elucidation, SHED therapy’s reliance on paracrine signaling via neurotrophic factors like HGF highlights an avenue to harness the body’s intrinsic regenerative capacity. Future studies will likely focus on optimizing delivery schedules, dosing regimens, and refining patient selection criteria to maximize therapeutic benefit.
Ultimately, this pioneering research instills hope for a future where the lifetime burden of cerebral palsy can be mitigated significantly. By leveraging a readily accessible and ethically non-controversial source of stem cells, the therapy has the potential to become a widely deployable and cost-effective treatment, fundamentally altering the landscape of neurorehabilitation.
Nagoya University Hospital’s commitment to ongoing clinical trials and long-term follow-up studies underscores the rigorous approach necessary to move beyond preclinical promise to real-world implementation. The scientific and medical communities will be watching closely as these developments unfold, with the potential to create a paradigm shift in how neurological damage from birth-related brain injuries is addressed.
This study not only advances the field of stem cell research but also represents a beacon of hope for patients and families affected by cerebral palsy, transforming the narrative from one of permanent disability to one of potential recovery and restored quality of life.
Subject of Research: Animals
Article Title: Novel stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy using stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth
News Publication Date: 23-Jan-2026
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04828-y
References: Takahiro Kanzawa, Atsuto Onoda, Azusa Okamoto, Xu Yue, Ryoko Shimode, Yukina Takamoto, Sakiko Suzuki, Kazuto Ueda, Ryosuke Miura, Toshihiko Suzuki, Naoki Tajiri, Shinobu Shimizu, Saho Morita, Hiroshi Yukawa, Hiroshi Kohara, Noritaka Fukuda, Yasuyuki Mitani, Hideki Hida, Yoshiyuki Takahashi & Yoshiaki Sato (2026). Novel stem cell therapy for cerebral palsy using stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth, Stem Cell Research & Therapy. DOI: 10.1186/s13287-025-04828-y
Image Credits: Yoshiaki Sato
Keywords: cerebral palsy, stem cell therapy, human exfoliated deciduous teeth, SHED, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, neuroregeneration, hepatocyte growth factor, neurological repair, rat model, chronic phase, motor function, cognitive improvement, regenerative medicine
