In the 1890’s, Santiago Ramon Cajal, the father of modern neuroscience, first attempted to describe the nervous system. Pioneers like Sir Ludwig Guttmann and Munroe made the 1940’s the decade of the spinal cord. Research in spinal cord injury (SCI), has two different focuses today: cure, and improvement in function and quality of life.

Neuro-regeneration research includes fetal spinal cord tissue transplantation, peripheral nerve grafts or schwann cells, or stem cells to bridge gaps in injured spinal cord tissue. A recent study reported by Dr. Maureen Condic (Utah School of Medicine), examines the role of the nerve growth factor, produced by genetically-engineered adult neurons, in nerve regeneration. Stem cell-injected rats with spinal injury showed better use of their hind limbs as compared to non-treated controls in experiments at Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis). In early studies, 4-AP (ACORDA) orally or intrathecally, has shown improved spinal cord function.

Research in neuro-protection and repair after SCI, has led to the use of methylprednisolone to limit the secondary injury from spinal trauma. Other studies including the use of drugs to prevent cell death (Apoptosis), the use of protease inhibitors, NMDA and glutamate receptor antagonist and the use of trophic factors (BDNF, NT3, NT4) have shown limited success. The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovat, Israel has reported the successful testing of a vaccine in rats to protect against spinal injury.

Research continues in the prevention and treatment of decubiti, autonomous dysreflexia, chronic pain and others.

There is no magic bullet for curing spinal cord injury as of yet, but researchers are expressing renewed excitement about the prospects for newer and collaborative ideas in spinal cord research in the 21st century.

Subramani Seetharama, M.D.:
Dr. Seetharama has joined the Hospital for Special Care (HSC) in New Britain, Connecticut as Director of Spinal Cord Injury and staff psychiatrist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. In addition to his duties at HSC, Dr. Seetharama serves as Director of SCI at Hartford Hospital(HH), and Associate Medical Director of the Eastern Rehabilitation Network (ERN), HH’s provider of rehabilitation services. Prior to joining HSC, he served as Director of Spinal Cord Services at the Weldon Center’s inpatient rehabilitation department and Western Health Services outpatient practice, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

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