Neuralstem Incorporated recently received Food and Drug Administration approval for a Phase 1 trial to treat Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) with their proprietary neural stem cells injected directly into the human spinal cord. They are the first business to conduct a stem cell treatment study for ALS patients. ALS currently has no cure and no… Read More
Can Nerve Stimulation Help the Paralyzed Walk Again?
Scientists at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and researchers from the University of Zurich in Switzerland have discovered stunning information on how nerves in the spinal cord, even in cases of paralysis, can be stimulated to elicit a walking response, without communication between the brain and the nerves. The researchers used a… Read More
Impact-Related Loss of Consciousness Study Finds Promising Results
Patients suffering from loss of consciousness due to traumatic brain injuries and other forms of brain damage may find promise in the results of a new study by scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. A team of scientists from the University discovered an area of the brain that controls and monitors what they have… Read More
The Reeve Foundation Continues to Advance Paralysis Research – With Your Help
Peter Wildetrotter, President and CEO of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, sent a letter to brainandspinalcord.org to show his appreciation and to share with our readers some of the recent breakthroughs in spinal cord injury and brain injury research. The Reeve Foundation funds projects dedicated to finding a cure for paralysis. The letter brings… Read More
Can the “Bullet Cage” Decrease Back Pain?
John Asfora, inventor and surgeon, recently received FDA approval on a novel device and the tools and methods used to implant it into patients suffering from spinal cord injuries and back pain. According to the Argus Leader, surgical trials on the device and approach began in 1999, finally culminating in August 2009 with FDA approval…. Read More
WillWalk Couples Art & Science for Paralysis Research
A chance meeting between two people involved in a terrible accident and a bold, successful rescue has resulted in the foundation of the WillWalk Foundation. Jared Dunten and Marty Butler were camping near the Rio Grande when Jared dove into the river and hit a sand bar head first, breaking his neck at the C4-5… Read More