Stem cell spinal injury trials 'to begin soon'RSS Feed

Medical trials aimed at finding out whether a combination of stem cell therapy and a depression drug can treat chronic spinal injury are to start "soon".

This is according to Dr Wise Young, research professor at Rutgers University's WM Keck Centre for Collaborative Neurosciences in New Jersey, who said cells from umbilical cord blood (UCSBC) together with lithium will be tested on 80 patients.

The UCSBC will be injected into the periphery of the spinal injury site and a "closely monitored" dose of lithium will be administered for six weeks. Dr Young said as this treatment mixes with the bloodstream, it stimulates stem cell regeneration.

"UCBSC stay where they are injected," he explained while speaking at a spinal injury lecture, the Times of India relayed. "They slowly build a bridge of healthy cells over the injury site and lithium will just expedite the process."

In the UK, lithium carbonate is one of the most common treatments for bipolar disorder and is used long-term.

The NHS states that side effects are likely to occur if the dosage is incorrect.

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