New Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury Patients
In 1997, the Spinal Cord Injury Information Network estimated that over 250,000 people were living with a spinal cord injury. The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, however, estimates that number to be much greater today, with over 1.2 million people living with some form of a spinal cord injury, nearly five times higher than previously thought.
According to the Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Prevention, Care & Cure, there are 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries each year. Many of these injuries occur due to motor vehicle accidents, falls, sporting and recreational accidents or acts of violence. While there is no cure for spinal cord injury or paralysis, new research has given hope to those living with or affected by the injury.
Stem Cell Therapy
According to a report in The Los Angeles Times, a patient in Atlanta suffering from partial paralysis was treated with a revolutionary technique involving embryonic stem cells. Researchers hope that this treatment plan will allow damaged spinal cords to heal and help patients regain some movement after their injuries. This is the first time any such therapy has been attempted and will only be used on up to ten patients this year.
In a spinal cord injury, the nerve cells can lose their protective coating of protein and fat, referred to as myelin. This causes the cord to lose its ability to transmit signals to or from the brain. Secondary damage occurs over time, when the damaged cells and fibers slowly die. The Times report notes that the stem cell therapy is designed to address both issues, replacing the myelin and promoting "growth factors" which help the tissue heal.
The controversy surrounding the treatment centers on its use of embryonic stem cells as opposed to other forms of cells. According to doctors at The Mayo Clinic, embryonic stem cells have the highest potential for this type of regenerative therapy because they divide and replicate quickly. They are also the most versatile of the body's cells.
Working With an Attorney
If you have been injured in an accident and have any form of spinal cord or other injuries, it is important to review your options with an experienced personal injury attorney.
