NFL Alumni Back New Drug to Keep Brain-Injuries From "Destroying Quality of Life"

There may soon be a medication to counter the effects of sports- related head injuries.

Neuralstem Inc., a company that specializes in cell therapy technology, has developed a drug in pill form designed to stimulate neurons in the area of the brain that handles depression and may be a factor in major brain injuries.

The drug, currently designated "NS1-189," is already going through a clinical trial for depression treatment.

During studies on animal subjects, researchers saw how the drug seemed to stimulate the growth of brain cells, prompting the company to pursue additional examination of the potential use of the medication for concussion treatment.

Neuralstem today announced it will be working with the NFL Alumni Association to begin clinical trials of NSI-189 with former players.

The National Football League has expressed great concern over the development of neurological disorders in former players.

The increase in the league's awareness of the issue follows a series of suicides linked to concussions players sustained during their careers --- including that of Pro-Bowl linebacker Junior Seau, who took his life three years after retiring from a 13 years playing in the NFL.

"The National Football League Alumni Association is focused on this serious health issue, which is destroying quality of life and has tragically led to several high-profile suicides just this past year among our members," said Lee Nystrom, Chairman of the Board, Emeritus of the NFL Alumni Association and a former Green Bay Packer. "The NFL Alumni Association is excited to be working with Neuralstem on this cutting-edge technology. We are committed to pursuing both basic research into traumatic brain injury as well as pushing the envelope to create therapies that can improve the quality of life for our members afflicted with these diseases."

Said Richard Garr, Neuralstem's president and CEO: "These injuries can result in long-term and serious loss of cognitive function, depression, a shorter life span and, sadly, death by suicide in some cases...In addition to finding ways to better prevent such injuries, it is imperative that we provide new and improved ways to treat those with such neurological trauma."

NS1-189 has already received support from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, as well as and the National Institutes of Health.