Cethrin for treatment of acute spinal cord injury

Alseres pharmaceuticals concludes enrollment in the Cethrin phase I/IIa clinical trial in acute spinal cord injury

Alseres Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced that it has concluded enrollment in the Phase I/IIa clinical trial of Cethrin in acute spinal cord injury (SCI). A total of 48 subjects have been enrolled at 9 sites in the United States and Canada. We expect to release periodic updates of the data in 2008 following protocol-specified patient evaluations.

“We continue to be encouraged by the safety and efficacy observations of the trial. The rate and magnitude of improvement of many subjects seems greater than the expected pattern of recovery,” commented Dr. Mark Hurtt, Alseres Chief Medical Officer. “The findings of the Phase I/IIa study serve as a strong foundation for the acceleration of our development plans for Cethrin.” Continue Reading »

Mice walk again after spinal cord injuries

SCIENTISTS have figured out how mice can regain some ability to walk after spinal cord injuries, and hope this insight can lead to a new approach to restoring function in people paralysed by similar damage.

The research, published today in the journal Nature Medicine, showed the brain and spinal cord were able to reorganise functions after a spinal cord injury to restore communication at the cellular level needed for walking. Continue Reading »

Scientists restore walking after spinal cord injury

Spinal cord damage blocks the routes that the brain uses to send messages to the nerve cells that control walking. Until now, doctors believed that the only way for injured patients to walk again was to re-grow the long nerve highways that link the brain and base of the spinal cord. For the first time, a UCLA study shows that the central nervous system can reorganize itself and follow new pathways to restore the cellular communication required for movement.

Published in the January edition of Nature Medicine, the discovery could lead to new therapies for the estimated 250,000 Americans who suffer from traumatic spinal cord injuries. An additional 10,000 cases occur each year, according to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which helped fund the UCLA study. Continue Reading »

Everett Visits the Bills as Healing Continues

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. —Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett took another step in an improbable recovery from a life-threatening spinal cord injury, walking around Ralph Wilson Stadium on Sunday in a new pair of Gucci boots.

Everett was last seen in the stadium Sept. 9 during the Bills’ season opener, when he was carted off the field in an ambulance, paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Before Sunday’s game against the Giants, Everett visited teammates who had not seen him in three months, since his initial confinement to a bed at Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital in Buffalo. Continue Reading »

Everett attends Bills game

Buffalo TE returns to scene of Sept. spinal injury

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Trent Edwards never cried before a pregame meal — until Sunday, when he saw Kevin Everett walking his way.

“I was speechless, on the verge of tears. It was hard to say something to him,” the rookie quarterback of the Buffalo Bills said. “He got out of his wheelchair and had a smile on his face. I remember the last time I saw him he was out here on the field with his head down getting in an ambulance, and we were all gathering around saying a prayer for him.”

Consider those prayers answered. Continue Reading »

Rehabilitation from spinal injury requires journey full of hard steps

Rehabilitation from spinal injury requires journey full of hard steps

Shepherd Center uses latest rehabilitative medicine technology

Duane Morrow was in a business meeting when his left foot fell asleep. He stood up and walked around. Then his right foot fell asleep.

Within 15 minutes, he was lying on the floor, unable to move either leg and gasping for breath. By day’s end, he was in surgery fighting for his life. Continue Reading »

Tuning in to watch a ‘miracle?’

Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a spinal cord injury during a tackle in a game on September 9, may show up at his team’s home game against the New York Giants this weekend. It will no doubt be an inspirational moment for everyone. You will remember Kevin originally arrived at the hospital paralyzed from the neck down. He received very quick surgery by the Bills’ doctors, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Andrew Cappuccino and neurosurgeon Dr. Kevin Gibbons.

The question many people may ask themselves is “Why did Mr. Everett recover when so many others don’t?” Some will say his spinal cord injury wasn’t as bad as originally thought. Others will say it had to do with a controversial therapy, known as Hypothermia, where the body and spinal cord are chilled. Some will say it is a miracle. Continue Reading »

Intensive training can fuel repair in brain, spinal cord post injury

Washington, Dec 19 (ANI): Researchers at the University of Alberta have revealed that intensive Rehabilitation training for patients with spinal cord injuries can stimulate repair in the brain and spinal cord.

They believe that these new branches growing from severed nerve fibres, along with compensating changes in the brain that would help in restoring hand function and the ability to walk.

The research led by Karim Fouad showed significant benefits of rehabilitation training after a Cervical spinal cord injury. Continue Reading »

Synthetic Blood Announces Oxycyte Development Strategy

COSTA MESA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Synthetic Blood International, Inc. (OTCBB: SYBD – News) today announced its near-term development strategy for Oxycyte™. The Company finalized its Phase IIb Oxycyte clinical trial protocol for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and plans to initiate three pre-clinical animal studies in sickle cell disease, spinal cord injury and stroke in the first half of 2008. Oxycyte is the Company’s proprietary perfluorocarbon (PFC) therapeutic oxygen carrier and blood substitute.

These Oxycyte development initiatives were determined at the Company’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) meeting conducted last week. Synthetic Blood also announced its intention to invite six to eight physicians to join the SAB in a move to broaden its specialties. The SAB candidates are expected to be primarily located at medical centers that may be involved with Oxycyte trials. Continue Reading »

NFL Resumes Funding of the Miami Project

NFL Hands Grant to Miami Project, Which Helped Bills’ Kevin Everett Recover From Spinal Injury

The NFL has awarded a $113,000 grant to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, which played a role in Bills tight end Kevin Everett’s recovery from a serious spinal cord injury.

The Miami Project, the world’s largest spinal cord injury research center, will use the grant money to further its cutting-edge research into hypothermic therapy, spokesman Scott Roy said Tuesday. Roy added the Miami Project will continue applying for further league grants. Continue Reading »