A stem cell study has started in the University of Calgary, North America, with a stem cell transplant being successfully performed on a spinal cord injury patient. Neural stem cells were injected into a 29 year old patient who will be monitored to find out if implanting these cells is safe.
If the procedure is found safe it may later be studied to see if it could be used to regenerate spinal nerve tissue, offering the possibility of some degree of recovery.
To read more and see a TV interview with Dr. Michael Fehlings, head of the spinal program at Toronto Western Hospital, and the University of Calgary’s Dr. Steven Casha, who performed the procedure.