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In an unprecedented medical achievement, researchers at the Mayo Clinic in the United States have demonstrated that stem cell therapy has enabled a once fully paralyzed patient to regain the ability to walk. The details of this breakthrough were highlighted in a study, emphasizing the role of stem cells derived from body fat in potentially restoring motor functions and sensitivity in paralysis cases. The innovative phase 1 clinical trial focused on a group of 10 participants who suffered from spinal cord injuries. These patients underwent a procedure to harvest stem cells from either the abdominal or thigh area, which were then meticulously cultivated in a laboratory setting over the course of several weeks to generate millions of new mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These MSCs were subsequently administered via injections into the lumbar region of the patient’s spine. Notably, the infused stem cells were observed to navigate towards the damaged segments of the spinal cord, significantly contributing to the rehabilitation process. Over a follow-up period ranging from two to three years, patients continued to be evaluated to gauge the effectiveness of the stem cell treatment. The findings of the study, now published in the reputable scientific journal Nature Communications, indicated a positive trend with seven out of the ten patients experiencing notable enhancements in their abilities to sense and move. These improvements included increased muscle strength and heightened sensitivity to tactile stimuli. Source: WION

A severe traffic incident occurred at the Lucy Montoro Rehabilitation Institute (LMRI) in São Paulo, Brazil, leaving patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) grappling with cognitive impairments. A rigorous study initiated to evaluate cognitive dysfunction in SCI individuals revealed that approximately 80% of participants displayed signs of significant cognitive deficits. The research enlisted 488 SCI patients undergoing initial assessments preceding intensive rehabilitation. It aimed to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment among this group and identify the main predictors affecting cognitive functions. Assessment tools used in the study included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale, strategically adapted for patients with visual impairments, and a focus on execution tasks to evaluate visuospatial and executive capabilities. Investigators succeeded in isolating a number of factors that appeared to influence cognitive scores profoundly. These included patient age, their level of education, the existence of depression, and the consumption of analgesics or opioids. Notably, these elements influenced cognitive capabilities independently of SCI-related clinical characteristics such as injury duration, gender, or educational background. The prevalent cognitive impairments identified in the sample size are concerning and postulate the necessity for a comprehensive approach to management throughout hospitalization and rehabilitative processes. Such an approach could ameliorate the cognitive impact on SCI patients and aid in their recovery journey. Source: Nature.com

At the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan, scientists have unveiled a revolutionary understanding of the neurocircuitry within the spinal cord, illuminating its capability for brain-independent motor learning. Their research, as documented in the prestigious journal Science, highlights two distinct neuron groups with pivotal roles—one facilitating new adaptive learning and the other integral to memory recall of these adaptations. Exploring the Spinal Cord’s Autonomous Learning Potential In an innovative experimental setup, the Japanese researchers successfully isolated and examined the adaptive learning and memory recall capabilities of mouse spinal cords independent of brain activity. These advancements demonstrate that the spinal cord alone can modify its motor responses based on associative learning between leg positioning and discomfort. Elucidating Pivotal Neural Structures Through utilizing different genetically modified mice, the team zeroed in on the exact neural structures paramount for independent motor learning and memory within the spinal cord. They pinpointed that the neurons expressing the Ptf1a gene were indispensable during the initial learning phase, whereas those expressing the En1 gene proved vital for the retention and recall of these motor adaptations. “This research not only refutes the traditionally held view that motor learning and memory are confined to cerebral circuits,” asserts lead study author Aya Takeoka, “but additionally it unlocks the potential to actively influence motor memory recall, holding significant promise for the development of treatments aiding recovery from spinal cord injuries.” Source: ScienceBlog.com

In a groundbreaking advancement within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct, Griffith University’s BioSpine team has earned a prestigious position in the LuminaX health tech accelerator program. Led by Dr. Claudio Pizzolato and coordinated by Kyle Mulholland, the team, which includes co-investigator Dr. Dinesh Palipana OAM and a 30-member multidisciplinary research team from GCORE, is set to participate in a 14-week intensive program designed to fast-track commercialization in the health tech sector. LuminaX, now in its fourth year, is a competitive, application-based accelerator that sources high-potential start-ups from across Australia. It specializes in nurturing early-stage entrepreneurial ventures that leverage AI and technology in healthcare, medtech, and wellness industries. The novel BioSpine system is a state-of-the-art digitally-enabled rehabilitation framework aimed at transforming the treatment of spinal cord injuries (SCI). This innovative system integrates non-invasive technologies, including assistive exercise devices, electrical stimulation, a brain-computer interface powered by artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, to produce an immersive rehabilitation experience controlled through a cutting-edge digital twin. This powerful confluence of technologies is orchestrated to exploit neuroplasticity, with the ultimate goal of stimulating the remaining active neurons in paralyzed individuals to restore sensory and motor functions. Source: The National Tribune

In Lautoka, the Kaiviti Silktails rugby league team is facing a lineup reshuffle due to a knee injury sustained by captain Timoci Kotoisuava. The fullback’s injury during the Round Four 36-10 defeat to the Storm may sideline him for the upcoming weeks, adding pressure to the Silktails as they approach Round Six of the NSWRL’s Jersey Flegg Cup against the Penrith Panthers at Churchill Park this Saturday, 13 April. Following the injury setback and last week’s postponed match in Nadi against Cronulla-Sutherland, Head Coach Wes Naiqama has had to adapt his team’s formation. He has replaced Kotoisuava with five-eighth Brandon Saun at fullback and promoted lock Senivalati Vunibola, who notably scored two tries in Round Three, to the No.6 position. The shift in player roles is expected to dramatically alter the team’s core structure. Naiqama, in a statement, expressed his anticipation to see the results of this new strategy in the forthcoming games. The coach also mentioned the adjustments were based on the players’ previous experience in their new roles during the pre-season and schoolboy football. Source: New South Wales Rugby League

A recent clinical trial at the Mayo Clinic in the United States has indicated that an innovative stem cell transplant treatment for traumatic spinal cord injuries is not only safe but also presents encouraging results for patient recovery. The phase I clinical trial, which involved a single-dose spinal injection, reported improvement in movement and sensation for 7 out of 10 paralyzed patients. Despite the optimism, the researchers acknowledged that the therapy’s success greatly depends on the type and severity of the injury; with predictions suggesting that only approximately 5% of thoracic spine injuries would see benefits from this procedure. Even so, according to neurosurgical experts, any slight enhancement can substantially enhance a patient’s quality of life. Stem cell transplants, considered to be at the forefront of medical treatments, involve harvesting a patient’s own stem cells, amplifying them in a laboratory, and then reinjecting them into the injured spine. These mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to regenerate various bodily tissues, including those of the central nervous system. The stem cell injections are particularly promising for patients who have limited treatment options. The anticipation of these therapies contributing to healing processes generates excitement but is met with a cautious approach due to scientific scrutiny. Other small clinical trials have also indicated the treatment’s safety and efficacy, though many in the scientific community argue that these studies lack the comprehensiveness and duration required to fully validate such claims. Source: ScienceAlert

SEMINOLE, Texas—In a tragic incident occurring over Easter weekend, a 13-year-old boy sustained serious injuries following a Go-Kart incident in Seminole. The young teen, identified as Luke Lovelady, suffered spinal damage when he was ejected from the Go-Kart after hitting a bump on a local farm. Luke underwent surgery on March 30 to stabilize his spine after fracturing several vertebrae. His condition post-surgery was reported as stable, with full sensation and mobility in all his limbs. However, the accident also resulted in a mild concussion for Luke who is described by his father as an easygoing and level-headed youth, attributes that have been beneficial in his current recovery process. The incident unfolded while Luke was riding on a friend’s property. Despite the traumatic event, Luke’s life was likely saved by his decision to wear a helmet at the time of the crash. He was promptly airlifted to Covenant Children’s Hospital for emergency care. Source: KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

In a recent study, researchers have raised concerns over the use of spinal cord stimulators for chronic back pain treatment. Despite being utilized as a therapeutic measure for decades, the latest findings suggest that these devices may not be as effective as hoped and could potentially cause harm to patients. Spinal cord stimulators are surgically implanted devices that deliver electric impulses directly to the spinal cord, with the intent of alleviating pain for individuals who have not found relief through other treatments. While these devices have evolved markedly over the years, transitioning from models needing an external generator to modern devices that are fully implantable and rechargeable, the scientific backing of their efficacy for long-term pain relief remains scant. Meticulous research in this area has predominantly occurred within the present century. One such study contrasted the outcomes of patients who had a spinal cord stimulator implanted against those who underwent a secondary spinal surgery following an unsuccessful initial procedure. Although some reports suggested minor improvements in pain relief from active spinal cord stimulation, the lack of robust evidence casts doubt on these conclusions. The limited scope of most comparative studies, often focusing on short-term results that span only a few weeks, further compounds the uncertainties about the long-term benefits of spinal cord stimulators. For instance, one study that compared the effects of spinal cord stimulation and a placebo over a duration of up to six months found no discernible advantages in patient outcomes. Source: Head Topics

In a specialized spinal cord injury center in Denmark, a significant breakthrough has been made with a robotic device named ROBERT® being tested for its feasibility to aid in strengthening hip flexor muscles post spinal cord injury (SCI). The study oversaw the recruitment of patients within three months of their SCI, where four individuals stood as participants. Under the trial protocol, each patient underwent 60 repetitions of hip flexion aided by the ROBERT® device, three times a week over a four-week period. The adherence rate was noteworthy, with participants completing 44 out of 48 sessions, indicating a 92% completion rate. Throughout the study, no adverse events were reported, and the exercises were well-received by patients as a beneficial supplement to traditional physiotherapy. The findings suggest that the ROBERT® device could provide a promising solution to challenges of physical demands and time consumption typically placed on therapists during rehabilitation exercises. The feasibility of recruitment for the trial was less optimal, as only an 8% recruitment rate was achieved within seven months. The screening process revealed that a substantial number of patients were deemed too strong for the criteria, which required grade 1-3 muscle strength. Source: Nature.com

In a sobering comparison of patient outcomes, a recent study reveals that survival rates following bone fractures in older adults are akin to, if not worse than those for several types of cancer. The research, conducted on nearly 100,000 individuals aged 65 or above, draws on data from the public health care system of Ontario, Canada, to deliver a stark message regarding the severity of bone fractures in the elderly. The findings present a grim reality; less than a third of men and half of the women survived five years after suffering a hip fracture. Even less encouraging are the numbers for octogenarians and above, where the prognosis dipped further. Although women generally had a slightly better chance of post-fracture survival compared to men, they were also more prone to fractures. Immediate attention post-fracture was identified by researchers as a pivotal moment for medical intervention. The study points out that the dramatic decline in survival rates was most pronounced within the first month following a fracture. This critical insight underscores the necessity for rapid and effective clinical responses to improve outcomes for these patients. In stark contrast, survival rates after various cancer diagnoses were more favorable. For example, the five-year survival rate for prostate cancer in men of any age stood at 94%, and 89% for breast cancer in women. When put side by side, these figures put into perspective the dire situation for fracture patients, particularly those advanced in age. Source: Medical Xpress