Spinal injury stem cell trial awarded $25mRSS Feed

A stem cell trial which could bring hope to many people with spinal cord injury has received substantial funding of $25 million (£15.3 million).

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has awarded the funding to Geron Corp, which is carrying out the first Food and Drug Administration-approved human embryonic stem cell trial.

Robert Klein, CIRM chairman, said: "We need to be prepared to stand by the heroic patients and the companies as they face these challenges and solve the problems that stand in the way of the recovery of patients from paralysis."

This follows the launch of the first neural stem cell trial for spinal cord injury by StemCells Inc.

Scientists are to use human neural stem cells which have the ability to transform into any of the central nervous system cell types.

The trial is designed to assess the safety of the procedure as well as observe the potential benefits to the patient, such as improved sensation, motor function and bowel or bladder function.

News by Serious Law. Expert legal assistance for those affected by spinal injury

Posted by Paul Breen
 

New spinal injury treatment 'cuts damage and pain'

04 May 2011

Scientists have uncovered a new treatment for spinal cord injury, which minimises nerve damage and pain in the condition.A study at Rutgers University found that there is increased production of a protein...

Read More...

Motorists must give 'full attention' to road

28 April 2011

Motorists must give "full attention" to the road ahead, according to one expert, which could potentially reduce the amount of brain and spinal cord injury that results from traffic accidents.Emily...

Read More...

Re-learn the highway code, expert advises

27 April 2011

Drivers should re-educate themselves on the highway code, one expert has said, which could help avoid traffic accidents that too often lead to brain and spinal cord injury.Adrian Walsh, director of RoadSafe,...

Read More...