Category Archives: Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

This morning, StemCells, Inc. (STEM) released six-month interim results for the first group of patients in its Phase I/II trial, testing the company`s HuCNS-SC (human neural stem cells) treatment candidate in patients with spinal cord injury - previous coverage available here. Shares are trading up nearly 20% in pre-market, and are likely to maintain momentum on the positive news. The interim data showed that thus far, HuCNS-SC treatment led to considerable gains in sensory function in two of three patients vs. their baseline levels of sensation prior to cell transplantation. The company also noted that the treatment continues to exhibit a favorable safety profile. The trial represents the first time that neural stem cells have been transplanted as a potential therapeutic agent for spinal cord injury, and the sensory gains observed have developed in a progressive pattern below the level of injury. Impressively, gains in sensation are not generally expected in spinal cord injury patients, particularly given the severity of injury seen in patients admitted to the Phase I/II study. According to STEM, sensory function of all patients observed thus far was stable before cell transplantation, therefore, the reappearance of sensation is a very positive sign that the treatment is … Continue reading →

NEWARK, Calif., Sept. 3, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (STEM) today announced that interim six-month data from the first patient cohort in the Company's Phase I/II clinical trial of its proprietary HuCNS-SC(R) product candidate (purified human neural stem cells) for chronic spinal cord injury continues to demonstrate a favorable safety profile, and shows considerable gains in sensory function in two of the three patients compared to pre-transplant baselines. The third patient remains stable. The data was presented by Armin Curt, M.D., principal investigator for the clinical trial, at the 51st Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Spinal Cord Society in London, England. The trial represents the first time that neural stem cells have been transplanted as a potential therapeutic agent for spinal cord injury. "As with the three-month assessments, these three patients have tolerated the cell transplantation very well, and we have no safety concerns at this point," said Dr. Curt, Professor and Chairman of the Spinal Cord Injury Center at Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich. "We are very intrigued to see that two of the three patients have gained considerable sensory function. The gains in sensation have evolved in a progressive pattern below the level of injury … Continue reading →

Therapies for Spinal Cord Injury: On the Cutting Edge of Clinical Translation Newswise CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Aug. 31, 2012) The Journal of Neurosurgery (JNS) Publishing Group is proud to announce publication of the North American Clinical Trials Network (NACTN)/AOSpine North America (AOSNA) Focus Issue on Spinal Cord Injury, a supplement to the September issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. Sponsored by AOSpine North America, the supplement is available in print and online, with the online version available free to the public at http://thejns.org/toc/spisup/17/1. The focus of this special supplement which was spearheaded by Michael Fehlings, MD, PhD, FAANS, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto and Medical Director of the Krembil Neuroscience Centre at the Toronto Western Hospital is the development of cutting-edge translational research in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI is an often-devastating injury that affects 2.5 million people worldwide, many of whom are first faced with it in early adulthood. The topic is addressed in a variety of forms in 17 articles and several editorials. Many of the studies presented in the supplement for the treatment of SCI were conducted by members of the NACTN, a consortium of 10 neurosurgery departments supplemented by a … Continue reading →

Public release date: 31-Aug-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Gillian Shasby gshasby@thejns.org 434-924-5555 Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group Charlottesville, VA (August 31, 2012). The Journal of Neurosurgery (JNS) Publishing Group is proud to announce publication of the NACTN/AOSNA Focus Issue on Spinal Cord Injury, a supplement to the September issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, which is sponsored by AOSpine North America available in print and online. The online version of the supplement is available free to the public. The focus of this special supplement, which was spearheaded by Dr. Michael Fehlings, Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto and Medical Director of the Krembil Neuroscience Centre at the Toronto Western Hospital, is the development of cutting-edge translational research in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI), an often devastating injury that affects 2.5 million people worldwide, many of whom are first faced with it in early adulthood. The topic is addressed in a variety of forms in 17 articles and several editorials. Many of the studies were conducted by members of the North American Clinical Trials Network (NACTN) for the Treatment of SCI, a consortium of 10 neurosurgery departments supplemented by a data management center … Continue reading →

A Florida neurologic clinic that specializes in treating patients with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries is being sued by a major automotive insurance company for more than $7 million in false claims stemming from charges it abused patients, failed to provide treatment, and kept them hospitalized without medical justification. Allstate Insurance Co. has filed suit against the Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation, Inc., and its owner, Joseph Brennick, in the U.S. District Court for Middle District of Florida under the federal Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Act, for breach of contract, and a variety of fraud charges. At stake, $7.6 million in allegedly false medical payments for injured drivers insured by Allstate in the state of Michigan. The Wauchula, Fla.-based FINR advertises itself as the leader in treating traumatic brain injuries, neurorehabilitation, neuropsychiatric disorders, and spinal cord injuries. Its basic services include offering occupational speech physical therapy, and counseling to help injured drivers make the transition from the hospital to their homes. Although FINR is located in Florida, its largest contingent of patients came from Michigan, where the company has carried out an aggressive and extensive marketing campaign using online resources, circulating print advertising materials, making presentations at conferences, and … Continue reading →

NEWARK, Calif., Aug. 30, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StemCells, Inc. (STEM) today announced that Armin Curt, MD, Professor and Chairman of the Spinal Cord Injury Center at Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, and principal investigator for the Company's Phase I/II clinical trial in chronic spinal cord injury, will make an oral presentation on the progress of the trial on Monday, September 3 at the 51st Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCOS), which is being held in London, England, on September 3-5, 2012. In his presentation, Dr. Curt will present six-month interim data from the first patient cohort in the trial. The three patients in the first cohort all have thoracic (chest-level) spinal cord injury classified as AIS A, in which there is no neurological function below the injury level. The second and third cohorts will be patients classified as AIS B and AIS C, those with less severe injury, in which there is some preservation of sensory or motor function. In addition to assessing safety, the trial will assess preliminary efficacy based on defined clinical endpoints, such as changes in sensation, motor function and bowel/bladder function. The trial is being conducted at Balgrist University Hospital, … Continue reading →

Researchers hope to make one of Australia's most iconic sporting pastimes even safer by investigating surfing injuries. Royal North Shore Hospital specialist Dr Simon Dimmick studied head and spinal injuries of surfers admitted to the hospital over the past two years. The research, to be presented this week at a Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiology conference in Sydney, found head and neck damage accounts for about 25 to 37 per cent of surfing injuries. Dr Dimmick said more than 50 per cent of all spinal injuries sustained by surfers affected the neck, also called the cervical spine. Advertisement Only 10 per cent were thoracic spine fractures and five per cent were fractures of the lumbar vertebrae. About one quarter of spinal injuries involved bruising to the spinal cord, Dr Dimmick said. Spinal injuries were mostly caused by contact with the sea floor, while head and facial injuries resulted from being hit with a surfboard, he said. Two studies involving 28 patients each were carried out at the hospital, which is NSW's main treatment centre for spinal injuries. Although significant injuries can occur from surfing, the sport is considered relatively safe. Continue reading here: Researchers investigate surfing injuries … Continue reading →

ARDSLEY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACOR) today announced that it will present at two upcoming conferences in September. Jane Wasman, Chief, Strategic Development and General Counsel, will present at the Baird 2012 Health Care Conference on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 8:25 am ET at the New York Palace Hotel in New York. A live audio webcast of the presentation can be accessed under Investor Events in the Investor section of the Acorda website at http://www.acorda.com, or you may use the link: http://wsw.com/webcast/baird30/acor/ Ron Cohen, Acordas President and Chief Executive Officer will present at the Stifel Nicolaus 2012 Healthcare Conference on Thursday, September 6, 2012 at 4:25 pm ET at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. A live audio webcast of the presentation can be accessed under Investor Events in the Investor section of the Acorda website at http://www.acorda.com, or you may use the link: http://www.veracast.com/webcasts/stifel/healthcare2012/29215201.cfm Archived versions of these webcasts will be available until October 5, 2012 on the Investors section of http://www.acorda.com. About Acorda Therapeutics Acorda Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing therapies that restore function and improve the lives of people with MS, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. Acorda markets AMPYRA … Continue reading →

Melbourne, Aug 29: Damage to the central nervous system from trauma could be reversed with the help of a new antibody, Australian researchers have claimed. The new antibody works by blocking the effects of a molecule called lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) that is released in response to injury, promoting inflammation leading to scarring and nerve cell death. After a neurotrauma event, such as a spinal cord injury, the body produces an inflammatory response that often leads to scarring and permanent nerve damage for which there are currently no treatment options, said the research team led by Australian Regenerative Medicine Institutes Yona Goldsmith and Centre for Eye Research Australias Alice Pebay. The team demonstrated that by administering the antibody soon after the injury occurred, it was possible to preserve nerve cells and limit the amount of scarring, while substantially reducing the losses in motor function. Goldshmit said the study reinforced earlier research on the role of LPA after an injury. By blocking the effects of LPA, we can help nerve cells survive a traumatic injury and this will hopefully lead to better outcome for patients in the future, Goldshmit said. Read the original: An antibody that could help spinal cord injury patients … Continue reading →

New spinal treatment could prevent paralysis Nineteen years ago, Frank Reynolds knew firsthand what it was like to be a paraplegic after an accident left him paralyzed. "You pray for those little things, you know. You pray to be able to walk," said Reynolds. Amazingly, he's now able to walk again, but with new purpose. "This is the first time patients, we think, will have real hope," said Reynolds. That hope is that those facing paralysis will someday walk again, by implanting a small device directly into their spinal cord. The device was developed by Cambridge company, InVivo Therapeutics. "About 90 percent of all patients who arrive in the emergency room after a spinal cord injury, they can't move. They can't feel, but they are not paralyzed for life. There is actually a three-week window of opportunity where you can intervene," said Reynolds. Permanent paralysis, instead, happens in the weeks following the original injury while the cord heals. The resulting scarring blocks key pathways the brain uses to communicate. "If you can just mitigate that inflammation, you get less scarring. And with less scarring, you get more functionality," said Reynolds. Made of the same material as biodegradable stitches, animal studies … Continue reading →