The World may be regarded as in some way an emanation from, or self-expression of, God. Mind, Soul and the material World flow from the One (as rays flow from the Sun) without impairing its self-sufficiency. The control of some specific bodily function, such as movements, vision, and hearing, is performed in specified areas of the cortex, and if these areas are damaged, the individual will likely lose the ability to perform the corresponding function. For instance, if an infant suffers damage to facial recognition areas in the temporal lobe, it is likely that he or she will never be able to recognize faces. On the other hand, the brain is not divided up in an entirely rigid way. The brain’s neurons have a remarkable capacity to reorganize and extend themselves to carry out particular functions in response to the needs of the organism, and to repair the damage. As a result, the brain constantly creates new neural communication routes and rewires existing ones. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’ ability to change its structure and function in response to experience or damage. Neuroplasticity enables us to learn and remember new things and adjust to new experiences. #RandolphHarris 1 of 6

Our brains are the most plastic when we are young children, as it Is during this time that we learn the most about our environment. On the other hand, neuroplasticity continues to be observed even in adults. The principles of neuroplasticity helps us understand how our brains develop to reflect our experiences. For instance, accomplished musicians have larger auditory cortex compared with the general population, and also requires less neural activity to move their fingers over the keys than do novice. These observations reflect the changes in the brain that follow our experiences. Plasticity is also observed when there is damage to the brain or to parts of the body that are represented in the motor and sensory cortexes. When a tumor in the left hemisphere of the brain impairs language, the right hemisphere will begin to compensate to help the person recover the ability to speak. And if a person loses a finger, the area of the sensory cortex that previously received information from the missing finger will begin to receive input from adjacent fingers, causing the remaining digits to become more sensitive to the touch. #RandolphHarris 2 of 6

Although neurons cannot repair or regenerate themselves as skin or blood vessels can, new evidence suggests that the brain can engage in neurogenesis, the forming of new neurons. These new neurons originate deep in the brain and may then migrate to other brain areas where they form new connections with other neurons. This leaves open the possibility that someday scientists might be able to rebuild damaged brains by creating drugs that help grow neurons. Spina Bifida is a devastating birth defect that impairs the closure of the neural tube turning development. Basically, people born with Spina Bifida have spines that are not completely closed off and sometimes a tumor develops as an attempt to close off the spine and it will tether to the spinal cord and stretch it until it snaps. If the spinal cord snaps, then a person becomes paralyzed. So, surgery has to be done to untether the spinal cord and remove the tumor, which can also result in nerve damage and paralysis. There are different types of Spina Bifida. It usually impairs the individual’s growth, mobility and bodily functions. Some people are born severely deformed, others you would never know they had Spina Bifida. #RandolphHarris 3 of 6

Spina Bifida does not necessarily impair brain function, and some people actually have enhanced cognitive abilities. Some individual also tend to be hypersensitive to their environment. Currently, there is no cure for Spina Bifida and treatments vary depending on the severity. If diagnosed during pregnancy, doctors can perform fetal surgery to minimize the defects. Regardless of the treatments, the effects of Spina Bifida are devastating. Researchers have isolated multipotent placenta-derived stem cells (mpSCs) and demonstrated that a combination of mpSCs with suitable implantable substrate can be used therapeutically for prenatal repair of Spina Bifida. There have also been encouraging results in delivering neural stem cells to individuals with Spina Bifida. Neural stem cells are known to assist in the repair of nerve tissues. Some people with Spina Bifida have bowl and bladder issues, some do not and they differ. Some may need external tools and enzymes to help them void. Others may have no control or diminished control. However, Urologist are working with embryotic stems cells and induced pluripotent stems (IPS) cells to develop a treatment for the bladder dysfunction that is common in Spina Bifida. #RandolphHarris 4 of 6

Trauma to the spinal cord often results in irreversible damage. When axons in the central nervous system are injured, they show a very poor regenerative response and complete or partial paralysis have been the ultimate fate. Stem cells are the basic building blocks of the human body. They have the ability to regenerate and replicate when activated in the circumstances, can become almost any specialized type of cells in the human body. They can also promote tissues repair and recovery to obtain results with minimal, or no side effects. Using a tissue engineering approach, scientists have successfully used these stem cells of the bladder, and is using them for bladder augmentation and reconstruction. There also has been instances where doctors were not able to remove all of the tumor from the patient with Spina Bifida and in one case, partial removal did damage the patient’s bladder and bowls, which were otherwise normal. Year later, the tumor grew back and tethered the spinal cord again, and the neurosurgeon was able to completely remove the tumor, but also had to reconstruct the spinal cord. Several years down the line, a urologist performed surgery on the bladder which made it easier to void. #RandolphHarris 5 of 6

Besides extreme back pain, some of which is from the surgery and subsequent injuries, patient is normal. Recent studies by different scientists lead to the conclusion that stem cells transplantation result to functional recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). Most Sci patents treated with the combination of stem cells therapy and supportive therapies including rehabilitation, achieved improvements in sensation, motor function, muscle mass and strength, improved balance and coordination, bowel and bladder control and improved neuropathic pain. Along with improved sexual function, increased sweat ability and reduced spasticity activity. Spina Bifida is a rare birth defect, there are as many as 166,000 Americans living with Spina Bifida, you may ever meet a person who suffers from it. There are approximately 7,645 people in California living with Spina Bifida. Although there is no cure yet, there are treatments, and not all are approved by medical doctors who one might be insured with and a patient may have to pay for expensive treatments using their own money. While there is no official cure for Spina Bifida right now, there may be in the future. #RandolphHarris 6 of 6