New publications
Prospects found for stem cell treatment of spinal cord injury
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Stem cell treatment helps establish urinary control and eliminate post-traumatic pain after spinal cord injury in experimental rodents.
Success in the use of stem cells was achieved by scientists from the University of California, San Francisco – in particular, Dr. Arnold Kriegstein and his colleagues.
Research suggests that stem cell transplant surgery can help overcome some of the most serious post-traumatic conditions.
There have been previous attempts to treat spinal injuries in a similar way, but to date no clear positive results have been achieved.
Today, research scientists are confident that this method can restore control over urination and reduce or eliminate neuropathic pain.
"This is an important achievement in medicine. We have been able to prove the possibility and necessity of using cell therapy for neuropathic discomfort and urinary dysfunction, even in an animal organism with a spinal cord injury. Our next goal is to conduct clinical trials on volunteers. Presumably, we will open the way to a new FDA method," says Dr. Krigstein.
In spinal cord injury, the inflammatory reaction or direct physical impact damages the nerve fibers responsible for controlling urination and pain. To solve this problem radically, it is necessary to restore the function of the damaged nerve cells.
In the journal Cell Stem Cell, California-based researchers reported on the use of laboratory-created embryonic stem cells that can mature into precursor structures for ganglion blocking nerve cells.
These cells represent a special subgroup of neurons that allow control over sensitivity and also perform other important functions.
After transplanting such cells into rodents with spinal cord injuries, specialists were able to observe the regeneration of neurons and synapses after just a few months.
During the same period of time, rodents from the inoperable group felt unwell and showed a pronounced reaction even to minor pain stimuli.
Those animals that were treated with stem cells recovered almost completely over time: they regained sensitivity and were able to control their urinary function again.
"Thanks to the conducted research, we were able to prove the possibility of regeneration of nerve innervation after the use of stem cells. We hope that in a short period of time our method will be used in the treatment of real sick people: from this day on a new era in medicine will begin," the author of the research asserts.
[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ]