Using Regenerative Medicine to Repair Spinal Cord Injury
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Author(s): "David R. Mason, B. Vet Med, MRCVS"
Published: Veterinary Practice News, February 2016
Summary
This article discusses the use of stem cell therapy for treating severe spinal cord injuries in both humans and animals, with a focus on a case study involving a dog named Duncan.
Key points
- Spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent paralysis, with limited treatment options available.
- The mammalian spinal cord has limited potential for spontaneous regeneration.
- Bone marrow-derived stem cells show promise in regenerating and healing injured tissue.
- Spinal cord injuries in dogs are common and similar to those in humans.
- The article presents a case study of Duncan, a Labrador retriever diagnosed with fibrocartilagenous embolic myelopathy (FCE). FCE is an ischemic injury to the spinal cord, causing a stroke-like event.
- After 16 months of conventional treatment with limited improvement, Duncan received an epidural injection of bone marrow-derived stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
- The treatment was performed at Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center (LVVSC) using the Companion Regenerative Therapies system.
- Within 14 days of the injection, Duncan showed increased energy and gradual improvements in mobility.
- The article concludes that stem cell transplantation for severe spinal cord injury shows promise, but many unknowns remain regarding optimal treatment protocols.
The Duncan case study demonstrates the potential of stem cell therapy in treating chronic spinal cord injuries, even after conventional treatments have shown limited success.