Spinal injury regeneration hope (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Scientists believe they are close to a significant breakthrough in the treatment of spinal injuries.

The University of Cambridge team is developing a treatment which could potentially allow damaged nerve fibres to regenerate within the spinal cord.

It may also encourage the remaining undamaged nerve fibres to work more effectively.

Spinal injuries are difficult to treat because the body cannot repair damage to the brain or spinal cord.

Although it is possible for nerves to regenerate, they are blocked by the scar tissue that forms at the site of the spinal injury.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7240898.stm

[mac2]

1. Thanks for that information

Many people have back problems whick effected the legs, etc. Surgery helps but bringing back the nerves or getting rid of the pain is a problem.

Hope is there. Hug a researcher.

[gateley]

2. I heard a medical reporter by the name of Christian Wilde who keeps on top

of all the latest research and clinical trials.

He told of a physician who is using stem cells for back injuries. Here's the kicker - he uses the patient's OWN stem cells. He is currently teaching the technique to physicians in Japan. He's from Puerto Rico or thereabouts - I'm sorry but I forgot.

So they had a young lady on -- 23 -- who was in a car accident when she was a teenager. She said she came to in the back seat and her head was laying on her shoulder. She was told she'd be paralyzed and unable to walk ever again. She had this surgery and had extensive physical therapy, and can now stand up and take a few steps without a walker or any help. She continues to improve with further physical therapy.

This gentleman said they've found that the patient's own stem cells are better than embryonic cells. I believe he said that there hadn't been a success to date with embryonic cells.

They feel this approach can help many afflictions. I'm not sure if they're even doing clinical trials here yet, but it's something to keep an eye out for, unless the pharmaceutical companies quash it.

Thanks for this article.

[Celebration]

3. there are clinical trials here

on these methods for the heart muscle (congestive heart disease) --eg,

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/05/050512110757.htm

These have actually worked, I hear, but are not routinely done in the USA. However, they are done in other countries, and there is some medical tourism for this treatment.

[gateley]

4. Yes! He was also talking about this! It always angers and saddens me that

so many of these approaches are tried elsewhere, and discounted by the U.S. (i.e. big pharma) because they're not "FDA approved".

I'm trying to remember a link to this guy's site -- if I remember it I'll post it.

He has a news letter and a book. The book is on the heart but he says not to bother buying that unless you have heart problems! :-) I liked that!