New stem cell therapy offers hope for Texas spinal cord injury victims

Does stem cell therapy promise for accident victims suffering spinal cord injuries?  Treatment on an Atlanta spinal cord injury victim this month appears promising, which is great news for Texans suffering from this otherwise irreversible condition.

 

Spinal cord damage affects around 12,000 people every year, and over a quarter of a million people in the United States are living with some degree of paralysis from a spinal cord injury.  Most of these individuals were hurt in a car wreck, and more likely than not they will never regain full bodily function.

 

This is because at this time paralysis from spinal cord injury is not reversible.  If a person becomes paralyzed due to a spine injury, the paralysis is likely to be permanent – unless a therapy like this stem cell therapy can fix the damage.

 

Spinal cord injuries are serious because accidents can damage the spinal cord and strip myelin from it.  Myelin is an insulating cover made up of fat and protein that gives nerves the ability to conduct impulses and communicate with the rest of the body.  When myelin is damaged, it often stays damaged – and over time the nerve fibers left without this protective covering will slowly die.

 

Stem cell therapy is expected to address both myelin loss and nerve death, permitting paralysis victims to regain use of their bodies.  Even if victims can regain just a little use of their limbs, their quality of life could be improved.  Of course, widespread use of an affordable, approved stem cell therapy is some time away – but this Atlanta patient gives us reason to hope.