Dog spinal study may provide clue for humans

There are hopes that a breakthrough in the repair of damaged spinal cords in dogs may pave the way for similar operations for humans.

UK researchers have managed to repair severe spinal cord injuries in dogs by injecting their spines with cells taken from the lining of their noses.

The cells helped repair the parts of the nerve cells that transmit signals, meaning the canine patients can move their once paralysed limbs.

Jasper the daschund had a severe spinal cord injury that paralysed his back legs.

Now he can keep up with the treadmill on all fours and owner Peter Hay is thrilled.

"Before the event he was effectively a crippled dog - he had no rear leg function, he dragged his feet around and generally couldn't get up on them - he couldn't move them," he said.

"But now he can stand, he can get two feet, he can walk."

Jasper is one of 23 pet dogs with severe spinal cord injuries who were injected with cells taken from their noses - olfactory ensheathing cells - which usually work to maintain and repair the pathway between the brain and the nose.

It is part of the first randomised controlled trial to test the transplant in real life injuries, rather than in a controlled clinical environment.

The study was a collaboration between Cambridge University and the Medical Research Council in the UK, and the findings are published in the latest edition of the journal, Brain.

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Dog spinal study may provide clue for humans