Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Stem Cell News and Video


A cool video from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation website. The assisted walking on a treadmill the patients are doing in the video is exactly what I do during therapy, as well as the electrical stimulation bike you can see patients hooked up to.

Also from the Reeve Foundation site - an update on the first ever FDA-approved recipient of embryonic stem cells. You may remember the company, Geron, from the news last year when the trial was given the go ahead; now, it's moving to its second patient. The first recipient of the cells is reporting some sensory improvements, which is a good sign, obviously, and, hilariously, he's signed with an agent to figure out 'how to best tell his story'. Good luck with that, bro.    

There is also a report on another drug that's showed promising results in an acute SCI Phase 1 trial. Passing Phase 1 means that the drug is safe and won't make you develop a third arm, or colorblindness, or something; even still, it's a good sign. I'm definitely more interested in treatments of chronic injuries, but the more trials and therapies being developed to combat SCI as a whole, the better.

1 comment:

  1. Cam
    We continue to have hope for you too. Keep up the hard work in therapy & continue your positive attitude & humor. Nat has 1 exam tomorrow then she is done. She told me last week she is going to be a nurse practioner. Can't believe she will be a senior next year. I visit the surgeon next Thurs. Hopefully I will not have to go back for outpatient surgery.A 16 gauge needle is making me a little nervous. At least there is no cancer which I am thankful for. We just returned from calling hours for a 57 year old very nice lady who had colon cancer. She only had received 3 weeks of treatments and was told she was going to be fine. An autopsy was performed to see why she died. How sad for her husband & son. My dad will be 73 this weekend. Having a few people over for a cookout to celebrate his day. He continues to be lost without my mom. Last week he was talking to our dog saying wouldn't it be nice if grandma would come back. I still hear her say what a great nurse Nat will be someday. Only 1 more month until you celebrate another birthday. Larry D. will not be celebrating that day as he will be 50. Where does time go??

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