Stem Cells May Help Treat Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe non-fatal types of trauma that a body can suffer. Many times, these injuries lead to partial paralysis, paraplegia, or quadriplegia. But there is growing hope that stem cell treatments will someday be able to help victims of spinal cord injuries, including those who have suffered a severe injury as a result of a Clarksburg accident.

Stem Cells: Background

Human embryonic stem cells were discovered in 1998. Today, the National Institutes of Health has invested more than a billion dollars in stem cell research. In addition, more than 200 American companies are investigating and studying stem cells.

The idea behind stem cell therapy is to replace dysfunctional nerve cells associated with spinal cord injuries with healthy stem cells. In recent years, scientists have used this method to repair spinal cord injuries in animals.

Progress With Stem Cells Continuing

For the first time ever, the Food and Drug Administration has approved a study to use stem cell therapy in paralyzed humans who have suffered spinal cord injuries within the previous 14 days. The experimental testing will be headed by Dr. Hans Keirstead of the University of California at Irvine, and he will partner with Geron Corporation. The study will begin in late 2010.

It is important to realize that any approved treatment for spinal cord injuries using stem cells is still several years away. However, given the incredible potential seen in stem cells and the vast amount of resources devoted to experiments in this field, many researchers believe that stem cells will one day be able to treat spinal cord injuries. But for now, traditional treatments are all that are available for Clarksburg accident victims who have suffered spinal cord injuries.

For more information on spinal cord injuries, visit our article library. 

Contacting a Clarksburg Accident Lawyer 

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury in a Clarksburg accident, order a FREE copy of our consumer guide, The 7 Biggest Mistakes that Can Wreck Your West Virginia Car Accident Claim then contact the Clarksburg personal injury attorneys at The Miley Legal Group for a FREE consultation - 304-326-1800.