Spinal cord injury treatment and research, historical and current.

Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Testing

Pioneer in Embryo Genetic Testing and Gender Selection

- Living with Spinal Cord Injuries -

Treatments and Research

Up until the 20^th Century, spinal cord injuries were considered untreatable. This attitude changed during World War I and II, as some attempts at surgery began to be performed to try to reverse spinal injuries. This surgery was usually unsuccessful, however, and spinal cord injuries were generally treated by immediately stabilizing the spine to avoid further damage.

During the 1960's, researchers began to play a more active role in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. Heavy doses of steroids, injected between three to eight hours after injury, were found to improve neurological deficit and reduce swelling.

Today, neurosurgeons have a better understanding of when to operate - and when not to operate - to stabilize the spine or decompress the spinal cord than they did 20 years ago. In addition, with the explosion of efforts and progress in the fields of Stem Cells, Neuroscience and Genetic Engineering, new research is being done to both understand and help repair spinal cord injuries.

Nerve Regeneration

Most of the cells in the human body have the ability to repair themselves after an injury. Even nerve fibers outside of the central nervous system have shown the ability to regenerate. However, while nerves in the central nervous systems of some lower animals can regenerate, they probably don't in human beings. Scientists have identified some proteins in the myelin sheath surrounding spinal cord axons which inhibit nerve cell growth. Research is being done to introduce proteins which would encourage, rather than inhibit nerve cell regeneration.

Replacement of Nerve Cells

Research is also being done on the replacement of nerve cells, using embryonic or fetal tissue. Scientists hope that the transplanted nerve cells will begin to mature and will integrate themselves with the hosts central nervous system. This research has been somewhat successful in animals, but faces ethical considerations, as well as the risk of immunological rejection. Researchers are also working on the use of genetic engineering to manufacture "cell lines" that would work as nerve cells after grafting. This procedure would involve the insertion of genes into fetal nerve cells that would allow the cells to divide indefinitely. Research has not yet shown that these cells can restore function of the spinal cord after injury.

Stem Cell Research

One area being closely studied in the treatment of spinal cord injuries are stem cells, which are undifferentiated cells present in human embryos prior to development. Because stem cells can develop into any cell in the human body, scientists are hoping to use stem cells to repair or replace damaged nerve cells. This research may become a valuable tool in the search for a cure for spinal cord injuries.

Is there a Cure?

As of yet, no cure has been found to repair a spinal cord injury. It is more likely that finding the cure for these injuries will take multiple strategies, each working to restore functions and improve the quality of life for someone with SCI.

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