Spinal Cord Research

    Spinal cord injury has been in the news in recent years due to high profile injuries to Christopher Reeve, football players Mike Utley and Dennis Byrd, and Chinese gymnast Sang Lan. Using cell transplantation and gene therapy signify the most sophisticated treatment of spinal cord injuries in modern medicine.  Christopher Reeve has made great strides in movement in his fingers, wrists, hips and knees and is able, for the first time since his accident in 1995, to feel body sensations. This has come about with concentrated physical therapy and electrical stimulation. His dream to be able to walk on his fiftieth birthday may not have come true, but it may not be too far into the future.

    The following websites contain more information on new medical advances and research that will help many who are stricken with spinal cord injuries:

Spinal Cord Injury Information Network Stem Cell Research
An Overview of Spinal Cord Research International Campaign for Cures of Spinal Cord Injuries
Foundation For Spinal Cord Injury Prevention, Care and Cure Neuroscion
Spinal Injuries Association Reeve-Irvine Spinal Research Center
Cure Paralysis Now Christopher Reeve's Progress
NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry Rehabilitation Research Center

 

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Last Updated September 24, 2002
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Sybil Stokols