Stem cells derived from a patient’s own fat may improve sensation and movement after traumatic spinal cord injuries, according to new research by the Mayo Clinic. The findings of a phase-one clinical trial were recently published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.
Of the 10 adults in the study, seven participants showed improvements based on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale. They included increased sensation when tested with a pinprick and light touch, increased strength in certain muscle groups, and recovery of voluntary bowel function. The scale has five levels, ranging from complete loss of function to normal function. The seven participants who improved each moved up at least one level on the ASIA scale.
Watch a “Good Morning America” story featuring a man with quadriplegia who participated in the study:
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leave a Reply