Neurosurgeon Joseph Ciacci, MD, was featured in a local WNDU report discussing his work with stem cells to treat patients with paralysis from spinal cord injury.
Dr. Ciacci treated the first patient in a new safety trial testing stem cell injections for spinal cord injury paralysis. The procedure took place two years ago, and uses stem cells from fetal spinal cords to replace the lost or severed nerve connections.
The injections were successful in animal models and physicians hope human patients will be able to walk again after treatment.