Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Stem Cells

August 04, 2009

The State of SCI

A survey this year by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation found 1.275 million Americans have suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI). In the coming year alone, 130,000 people worldwide will suffer a SCI, losing functions such as mobility or feeling, and enduring complications such as pressure sores, lung and breathing problems, and spasticity. As SCI is frequently caused by trauma or disease, the injury transforms the patient’s quality of life tremendously.  While there is no cure for SCI, hope lies in the field of stem cell research.

In a recent study published in Cell Transplantation, eight individual SCI patients (4 acute and 4 chronic) were treated with Adult Stem Cell therapy. The stem cells, derived from Bone Marrow Cells (BMCs), were implanted in three ways: into the spinal column, into the spinal cavity, and administered intravenously. After 2 years of weekly MRI scans, it was demonstrated that the patient’s quality of life improved with no adverse events such as tumor formations, infection, or increased pain.

This treatment is being carried out by Dr.Geffner at the Luis Vernaza Hospital in Ecuador and 52 patients have already been treated.  One patient in particular, Michael Flounders, even traveled from the United Kingdom and confirms that the trip was definitely worth it: “It has broadened the horizons of my recovery; it has given me a sense of hope. Everyday things are changing; the feelings in my legs are becoming a lot more powerful.”

While this research is being done outside of the United States, it is pertinent that our country join forces with other countries in these significant studies as our citizens are patients too. In fact as of January 2009, the Food and Drug Administration approved a study by the biotech company Geron Corportation of California involving injecting ten newly injured Americans, paralyzed from the waist down, with a low-dose embryonic stem cell treatment.  

The end is closer than we think. What we thought of as a miracle only a few years ago, is only a few steps away. Until a SCI patient takes their own first step though, we must rely on the hope and promise of stem cells.

Helpful Links:

The National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA)

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Recent Articles:

08/03/2009 Progress is reported on repairing spinal cords

07/24/2009 Stem Cell Breakthrough