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| Deanne Eagle - Media Relations | 917.837.5866 |
| Susan Roush - Investor Relations | 818.222.8330 |
NEURALSTEM CELLS REVERSE COGNITIVE DEFECT
RATS, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA IRVINE PAPER SHOWS
ROCKVILLE, Md., August 1, 2013 --
Neuralstem, Inc. (NYSE MKT: CUR) announced that a paper published in the journal "Cell Transplantation - The Regenerative
Medicine Journal," reported that Neuralstem's spinal cord-derived human neural stem cells, NSI-566, improved cognitive
function in rats who'd received radiation to the brain, as assessed by two separate cognitive tasks (http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/pre-prints/ct1048acharya).
In the paper, "Transplantation of Human Fetal-Derived Neural Stem Cells Improves Cognitive Function Following Cranial Irradiation,"
researchers at the University of California Irvine showed that rats who received NSI-566 transplants after brain irradiation improved
hippocampal spatial memory as well as contextual fear conditioning performance, a brain function that relies on intact amygdala
function. Both the amygdala and the hippocampus are parts of the brain involved with memory formation.
The transplanted cells developed into a
significant number of new neurons in the hippocampus, as well as a smaller portion of glial subtypes. There was no evidence of
teratoma, or tumor growth, in these cells. Radiation after tumor-removal surgery is a common therapy in the treatment of brain
cancer in humans, but can result in significant cognitive defects.
"We are broadening our neural stem
cell therapy programs from treating motor deficits to treating cognitive deficits, which involve two distinct anatomical circuits,
pathogenic mechanisms, and treatment strategies," said Karl Johe PhD, Neuralstem Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer. "In
this published study, our collaborators at the University of California, Irvine have demonstrated proof-of-principle for ameliorating
cognitive dysfunction when the cells were injected two days after irradiation, a model that is similar to a potential clinical
intervention given to treat brain cancer patients. Such irradiation frequently leads to serious and debilitating cognitive
loss in patients, ranging from pediatric patients afflicted with medulloblastoma, to adults with glioblastoma multiforme. No current
solutions exist to treat this unmet medical condition. We believe that the key therapeutic mode of action by the transplanted
cells in this model is to protect and preserve neurogenesis in the hippocampus. In clinical translation, this suggests early intervention
with Neuralstem cells could prevent cognitive complications due to an irradiation therapy."
29 rats were divided into three
groups. The first group received no cranial radiation after sham brain surgery. The second got the surgery and radiation alone.
The third group got surgery, radiation, and were transplanted with NSI-566 neural stem cells one month post surgery.
The rats then underwent two cognitive
tests, including novel place recognition tasks, which involve memory and the hippocampus, and fear conditioning, which involves
the amygdala. Both the hippocampus and amygdala are parts of the brain involved with memory function. The transplanted rats showed
significant improvements in cognition one-month after transplantation. Additionally, the transplanted cells survived and developed
into new neural cells.
Neuralstem's patented technology
enables the ability to produce neural stem cells of the human brain and spinal cord in commercial quantities, and the ability to
control the differentiation of these cells constitutively into mature, physiologically relevant human neurons and glia. Neuralstem
completed an FDA-approved Phase I safety clinical trial for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's
disease, in February 2013, and has received FDA approval to begin Phase II. Neuralstem has been awarded orphan status designation
by the FDA for its ALS cell therapy.
In addition to ALS, the company
is also targeting major central nervous system conditions with its NSI-566 cell therapy platform, including spinal cord injury,
ischemic stroke and glioblastoma (brain cancer). The company received approval to commence a Phase I safety trial in chronic spinal
cord injury in January 2013.
Neuralstem also has the ability
to generate stable human neural stem cell lines suitable for the systematic screening of large chemical libraries. Through this
proprietary screening technology, Neuralstem has discovered and patented compounds that may stimulate the brain's capacity to generate
new neurons, possibly reversing the pathologies of some central nervous system conditions. The company is in the last cohort
of a Phase Ib safety trial evaluating NSI-189, its first neurogenic small molecule compound, for the treatment of major depressive
disorder (MDD). Additional indications could include traumatic brain injury (TBI), Alzheimer's disease, and post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD).
For more information, please
visit www.neuralstem.com or connect with us on Twitter,
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Cautionary Statement Regarding
Forward Looking Information
This news release may contain
forward-looking statements made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements in this press release regarding potential applications
of Neuralstem's technologies constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation,
risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential products, uncertainty of clinical trial results or regulatory
approvals or clearances, need for future capital, dependence upon collaborators and maintenance of our intellectual property rights.
Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information on
potential factors that could affect our results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in Neuralstem's
periodic reports, including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the Form 10-Q for the period
ended March 31, 2013.