Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disorder for which there is no cure. Major functional deficit results from motor neuron loss and affects 450,000 individuals in the U.S, with 11,000 new injuries per year. Most cases result in permanent disability or paralysis below the location of injury. There is currently no way to reverse the damage to the spinal cord.

This disorder affects men disproportionately to women, and 60% of cases are seen in individuals under the age of 30. The most common causes of spinal cord injury are motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, falls, and acts of violence and diseases.

Individuals with spinal cord injury often have medical complications such as pressure sores, chronic pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction, along with an increased susceptibility to respiratory and heart problems.

Stem cell replacement strategies for repair of damaged motor neurons in spinal cord injury using CSC human cells are in pre-clinical development. Efficacy studies are ongoing and CSC currently intends FDA discussion to begin in the third quarter of 2008.

SCI Support

National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) is the nation's oldest and largest civilian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of Americans living with the results of spinal cord injury and disease and their families. NSCIA educates and empowers survivors of spinal cord injury and disease to achieve and maintain the highest levels of independence, health and personal fulfillment.