October 2011

Pia runs for CatWalk

PIA Wittwer Blaser isn't keen on running but that's not stopping her from taking on one of the world's most famous marathons – and she's doing it all for charity.

Spinal cord injury studies 'must be moved on from lab setting'

Findings from successful spinal injury laboratory trials need to be moved to a clinical setting in order to help patients, one expert has stipulated.

South Florida carmaker has designed vehicle just for those who can’t get around

A new car is tailor made for those who use wheelchairs or have serious mobility problems.

There was a point four months into Marc Buoniconti’s recovery from a life-changing football injury when he was at his lowest.

WATCH VIDEO

Growth Factor Therapy Alters Cells that Prevent Spinal Cord Repair

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Scientists at The Ohio State University College of Medicine have discovered that cells in the spinal cord that prevent regeneration after a spinal cord injury (SCI) can be manipulated, through gene therapy, to become increasingly supportive of repair.

The study, published yesterday (18 Oct) in the Journal of Neuroscience, shows that treating an injured adult spinal cord, by genetic delivery of a high-level growth factor found in the developing brain, can change the behavior of glial scar cells called astrocytes.

Micro-electronic stimulators for spinal cord injuries

A new wireless device to help victims of spinal cord injury is receiving attention in the research community. Mesut Sahin, PhD, associate professor, in the department of biomedical engineering at NJIT, recently has published and presented news of his findings to develop micro-electrical stimulators for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Four legs, two chairs, one goal

For a second year, The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust has assembled a team of enthusiastic supporters to participate in the ING New York City Marathon, all with the purpose of running so others can walk.

On 6 November, 17 individuals will take part in one of the world's great road races to help find a cure for spinal cord injury research.

Electronic stimulation shows promise for quadriplegics

Harmandeep Saini needed someone to feed him, brush his teeth, give him his medication and put his bus token in the fare box after a motorcycle accident left him a quadriplegic three years ago. Today, the 25-year-old can do these things on his own thanks to a promising new therapy that has given him back some control of his hands.

How Electrical Pulses Can Defeat Paralysis

Four scientists—and their star patient—received a 2011 PM Breakthrough Award for a new procedure that uses direct electrical stimulation to give spinal injury patients back some voluntary movement.

Common supplement 'could help walking ability after spinal cord injury'

A commonly used supplement could improve outcomes and recovery from spinal cord injury, scientists have said.

University of Kentucky researchers found that the supplement acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) could be used to treat severe spinal cord injury.

ALC is a derivative of essential amino acids that can generate metabolic energy soon after injury.