Neuralstem, Inc. announced that the first patient was treated in the Phase I/II NSI-566 stem cell trial to treat motor deficits from ischemic stroke at BaYi Brain Hospital in Beijing, China. The Neuralstem China Phase I/II ischemic stroke trial will enroll up to 118 patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke and have chronic residual motor disorders, between four and 24 months after they have their strokes. The treatment will consist of one-time intracerebral injections of Neuralstem's NSI-566 stem cells into the stroke area using well-accepted stereotactic injection procedures.

Phase I will enroll up to 18 patients in three cohorts, each receiving an increasing dose, to determine the maximum safely-tolerated dose. Phase II, a multi-site, randomized and blinded study with a control group, will enroll up to 100 post-stroke patients. Half of the patients will receive a one-time treatment with the cells and physical therapy.

The other half will receive only the physical therapy with no surgery. Measurements of outcome during the follow-up period will be blinded.