The purpose of this research study is to find out if bone marrow treatment (bone marrow aspiration and infusion of stem cells) can be safely used in adults who have recently (within 24-72 hours)suffered an acute ischemic stroke.

Our primary hypothesis is that autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation by intravenous administration is feasible and safe after acute ischemic stroke. Our secondary hypothesis is that autologous transplantation is associated with improved outcome after acute stroke.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. acute ischemic stroke
2. age 18 to 83 years If >80 then the pre-stroke mRS needs to be < 1)
3. Right hemisphere NIHSS 6 -15, left hemisphere NIHSS 6-18
4. known onset time of acute symptoms
5. stem cell transplantation procedure must be performed within 24 to 72 hrs after stroke symptom onset
6. TPA infusion is allowed

Exclusion Criteria:

1. NIHSS 1a > 1

2. pre-stroke mRS > 1 if > 80 years of age

3. Ischemic stroke in the last 3 months, any vascular territory

4. MI, primary hemorrhagic or traumatic lesion of the brain within the last 3 months or identified on MRI. Small hemorrhagic transformation of the acute infarct is allowed.

5. seizure disorder

6. developmental delay

7. chronic kidney disease defined as baseline creatinine >1.4

8. hepatic disease or altered liver function as defined by SGPT >150 U/L and or T. Bilirubin >1.6 mg/dL at admission

9. pulmonary disease (e.g, COPD with oxygen-requirement at rest or with ambulation, moderate to severe asthma)

10. mechanical heart valve

11. Active malignancy or diagnosis of malignancy within 5 years prior to the start of screening or any history of chemotherapy or radiation affecting the bone marrow. Skin cancers (except for melanoma) are permitted.

12. prior immunosuppression, including chemotherapy administration within last 3 years or current immunosuppression as defined by WBC <3 x 103 cells/ml

13. known HIV

14. hemoglobin <10g/dl

15. uncorrected coagulopathy at the time of consent defined as INR >1.4; PTT>37 sec, or thrombocytopenia (PLT<100,000)

16. any hemodynamic instability at the time of consent (e.g, requiring continuous fluid resuscitation or ionotropic support).

17. Hypoxemia (SaO2<90%) at the time of consent, respiratory distress or persistent hypoxemia defined as SaO2 <94% for >30 minutes occurring at any time from hospital admission to time of consent. Intubation alone is not an exclusion.

18. pregnancy or positive b-HCG

19. current participation in any interventional research study

20. unable to return for follow-up visits for clinical evaluation, laboratory studies, or imaging evaluation

21. Multiple anti-platelet medications (Aggrenox is considered a single platelet agent)

22. Unable to undergo MRI or CT scan

23. Any other condition that the investigator feels would pose a significant hazard to the patient if enrolled.

24. Exclude infarct lesion size >145cc unless the NIHSS 1a remains < 1 and there is no evidence of infarct expansion or edema formation on any imaging obtained from admission up to the point just prior to infusion.

25. Exclude IA therapy use or if there is a planned or anticipated hemicraniectomy. Diagnostic angiograms are allowed

26. CT and/or Multimodal MRI exclusion criteria will be:

    • hemispheric strokes < 1.5 cm maximum diameter (on the MRI as seen on the diffusion-weighted imaging or CT)
    • midline shift >1mm or significant hemorrhagic transformation of the acute infarct

Total number of study participants

2 Years

This is a Phase I safety and feasibility study, designed without a control group. Small sample size and inclusion of selected patients warrants caution in interpretation of findings. A randomized controlled study is needed.