Swedish stem cell researchers make spinal cord injury breakthroughRSS Feed

Spinal cord injury patients are a little closer to the prospect of stem cells being used to repair damaged tissue after scientists in Sweden made a breakthrough with mice.

Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet have identified a stem cell known as an ependymal cell in the spinal cord.

These cells are inactive in healthy spinal cords but are active when injured and become the main source of new cells.

"The stem cells have a certain positive effect following injury, but not enough for spinal cord functionality to be restored," said study author professor Jonas Frisen.

"One interesting question now is whether pharmaceutical compounds can be identified to stimulate the cells to form more support cells in order to improve functional recovery after a spinal trauma."

The news comes as scientists in the US carry out the first human clinical trials of stem cell therapy on patients with acute spinal cord injuries, following approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.

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Posted by Matthew Heap

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