A study launched in 2014 examines stem cells' potential to cure spinal cord injuries.
Here's what you need to know:
1. Study participants have chronic cervical injuries involving C5-C7 vertebrae.
2. Researchers seek to understand the safety and toxicity associated with an FDA-approved line of human stem cells.
3. The six stem cell injections' impact on chronic traumatic spinal injuries will be monitored during a follow-up period of 60 months.
4. The stem cells were previously tested in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
5. Principal investigator Joseph Ciacci, MD, of UC San Diego said, "The ultimate goal is development of an effective treatment for paralyzing spinal cord injuries…The immediate goal is to determine whether injecting these neural stem cells into the spines of patients with injuries is safe."
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