November 18, 2011 - Science Daily reports that scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research and the Schuctermann Klinik have identified a protein that could force heart muscle cells to revert to "precursor" cells.
What this development does is allow heart muscle tissue that has been damaged in a traumatic cardiac event to heal itself. Regenerating heart muscle requires a considerable amount of damaged tissue be replaced by new tissue, but another method - one that has been observed in lesser vertebrates such as the salamander - involves the surviving tissue regressing into an earlier cellular phase.
This process is called dedifferentiation, and it enables these precursor cells to repopulate and convert into healthy heart muscle cells.
It will be years before the molecule, dubbed oncostatin M, is synthesized in a usable form for human beings, but it could lead to considerable changes in the quality and expectancy of life for those who have suffered heart cell and tissue damage after a heart attack.
Many forget that heart attacks are not isolated events, and that they can have a lasting impact on a victim's livelihood and ability to work. If you or a loved one has suffered from a heart attack or other heart disease, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Speak with an attorney who can explain the Social Security process to you and help you determine whether or not you qualify for aid.
Contacting a Social Security Disability Attorney to Protect Your Rights
If you suffer from a disability and think that you qualify for Social Security disability benefits, speak with a St. Louis attorney who understands the intricacies of these very complex cases. The Missouri Social Security disability attorney team at Bollwerk & Tatlow, LLC fights for Missouri residents. Contact us today - 314-315-8111.
Posted on Nov 25, 2011