This document summarizes recent research on spinal cord injury therapies. It discusses that there are approximately 12,000 new spinal cord injuries in the US each year. Current repair strategies discussed include neutralizing the inhibitory scar, inducing axon regeneration, preventing secondary damage, and cell replacement. Several clinical trials are mentioned, including trials of neuroprotective drugs, stem cell therapies using human embryonic stem cells and human fetal stem cells, and an antibody targeting nerve fiber sprouting. Rehabilitation strategies discussed include locomotor training, functional electrical stimulation cycling, and hand rehabilitation. The ultimate goal is a combination of early neuroprotection, cell replacement therapies, axon regeneration therapies, and long-term rehabilitation.

1. Frontiers in Spinal Cord Injury TherapiesKim Anderson-Erisman, Ph.D.Director of EducationThe Miami Project to Cure ParalysisUniversity of MiamiJuly 12, 2011

2. SCI in the USA12,000 new injuries each year232,000-316,000 living with SCI81% malesAverage age at injury is 40.7 years old1,275,000 living with SCI

3. 61% malesModel Systems for SCIChris & Dana Reeve Foundation

4. Life Expectancy & Costs of SCI

5. Types of SCI

6. What is Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)?NormalSolid cord damageContusion w/ cystLacerationMassive CompressionNorenberg et al., 2004. J. Neurotrauma. 21:429-440

7. Inside the spinal cordInhibitory scarCut axonsPrimary damageSecondary damageCell deathMcDonald , 1999. Sci. Amer. 281:64-73

8. What happens functionally?Motor

9. Legs

10. Arms/hands

11. Abdominal/Intercostal

12. Sphincters

13. Sensory

14. Light touch

15. Pin prick

16. Temperature

17. Spontaneous pain

18. Autonomic

19. Cardiovascular

20. Temperature regulation

21. Bladder

22. Bowel

23. SexualFunctional Recovery PrioritiesAnderson, 2004. J. Neurotrauma. 21:1371-1383.