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July 21, 2006

Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries

Topics: Stem Cells

An international team of authors report the successful treatment of spinal cord injuries using adult stem cells extracted from the roof of the nasal cavity. Published in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, researchers from Portugal and the United states describe the use of the olfactory mucosa as a source of stem-life progenitor cells for neural repair. Specifically, the research involved the transplanting of olfactory mucosa autografts into patients with traumatically injured spinal cords.

The results were startling. Improvement was observed in all patients, two reported return of sensation in their bladders and one recovered voluntary contraction of anal sphincter. Every patient had improvement in motor scores. "Most recovered sensation below the initial level of injury that was repaired.

It is not a cure and is certainly not being hyped. As noted by Weseley J. Smith, at a time when the nation is focusing on stem cell research there has been barely a mention of it in the media.

However, the full report is available: Click Here (pdf)

Posted by tim at July 21, 2006 11:24 AM

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