A clinical trial has revealed that stem cell therapy, taken from body fat, can help restore movement in patients suffering from paralysis and can improve sensation. A small trial at the Mayo Clinic, a non-profit American academic medical center, has shed light on the potential benefits of stem cells and regenerative medicine. Thanks to stem cell therapy, a patient who was paralyzed from the neck down after an accident was able to walk again.
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The study's first author, Mohamad Bydon, MD, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic, said in a press release: "This study establishes the safety and potential benefits of stem cells and regenerative medicine." "In spinal cord injury, even a modest improvement can make a significant difference in a patient's quality of life," he said.
The phase 1 study involved 10 patients who had stem cells removed from their abdomen or thigh. After that, millions of new stem cells (MSCs) were grown in the lab over the next few weeks. These cells were then injected into each patient's lumbar spine.
These cells were observed to migrate to the injured part of the spine and aid in recovery. The patients were evaluated for the next two to three years for their response to the stem cell therapy.
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The results, published in the journal Nature Communications, showed that seven out of ten patients experienced improvements in sensation and movement. The patients showed stronger muscles and better responses to light touches.
The most promising results were seen in a patient named Chris Barr. The California man was paralyzed in 2017 after an accident . Eighteen months after receiving stem cell treatment, Barr was able to walk again.
"I never dreamed I would have a recovery like this," Barr said, according to ABC News. "I can eat on my own. I can walk. I can do daily activities," he added.
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Scientists said the treatment showed no side effects.
Source: wionews
