Recent Developments

Stem Cell Research

Recent developments in treatment for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), especially in the area of stem cell research, offer promising results and an exciting future for victims of SCI. 

In most of the body, old or damaged cells are replaced with new cells manufactured by the body specifically designed to replace them.  Such is not the case with neurons, the nerve cells which make up the spinal cord.  These cells can neither be repaired nor replaced by the body naturally. 

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells; cells that the body has not yet directed to become a certain type of cell, such as a muscle cell, bone cell, red blood cell, or a nerve cell.  If scientists can determine how to coax stem cells into becoming neurons, then they may indeed be utilized to replace damaged nerve cells in the spinal cord.

The main obstacles in stem cell research to date have been the controversy over using stem cells obtained from embryos, and the issue of tissue rejection.  The issue of embryonic stem cells remains controversial, and researchers have investigated the ability to which adult stem cells may be coaxed into differentiating into nerve cells and other types of tissue.  Adult stem cells are more limited, however, than embryonic stem cells in their ability to differentiate. 

Regarding tissue rejection, the body is trained to fight off foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses.  Designing stem cells that will not be recognized as foreign by the body has been a major hurdle.  One answer has been to suppress the immune system, which prevents the body from attacking foreign tissue, but also leaves the person open to serious or deadly infection.  Human cloning is a potential answer to the tissue rejection question, although it involves the use of human embryos in an even more controversial and politically-charged debate.

Stem cells obtained from umbilical cords after birth are a less controversial-source.  Cord blood is rich in stem cells and has historically been discarded, although efforts are now underway to save cord blood for experimentation and research, or perhaps for medical use of throughout the "donor's" lifetime.  Cord blood stem cells have been used to treat leukemia, and research is currently underway regarding their use in spinal cord transplantation.

Olfactory Cell Research

Olfactory cells may be a non-controversial substitute for stem cells.  Located in the nasal sinuses, olfactory cells are responsible for our sense of smell.  These cells include neurons as well as stem cells that can become neurons, as well as glial cells, supporting structures in the brain and spinal cord which play significant, vital roles in neural processing and function.  Interestingly, olfactory neurons are able to repair themselves, unlike their cousins in the central nervous system. 

Olfactory cells have been successfully transplanted from the nasal sinus to the spinal cord.  Aside from being non-controversial as compared to embryonic stem cells, olfactory cells may be taken from the SCI patient, thereby avoiding any issues of tissue rejection.  In the experiments performed thus far, improvement has been seen in areas such as increased sensation, decreased pain, and improved motor abilities, bowel and bladder function.  Olfactory transplantation is not approved in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but has been performed at least in Portugal, China, and Australia.

Stem cell and olfactory cell treatments are exciting and offer hope to people with SCI.  However, no treatments have yet been approved in the U.S., and a great deal of further research is still needed.  In the meantime, seeking experimental treatment may offer some improvement and restored function, but the effects may only be temporary, and any surgical scarring created today may make it more difficult for a successful surgery tomorrow, when a more efficacious treatment may be available.

Cost of Treatment

Some of the overseas procedures described above can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000, not including travel and lodging for an extended period.  Health insurance is unlikely (to say the least) to cover experimental or non-FDA approved procedures.  Also, be aware of treatment scams that proliferate on the Internet and don't do anything other than take your money.  Regardless, any procedures, whether approved at home or available abroad, are going to be very expensive.  Whatever treatments are available, hopefully money will not be a barrier.  If you believe you may have a lawsuit against a person or entity at least partially responsible for your injuries, contact the Cartwright Law Firm to speak with an attorney.

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