Sci Clinical Trials 2022
Browse 153 Sci Medical Studies Across 119 Cities
4 Phase 3 Trial · 323 Sci Clinics
What Are SCI Clinical Trials?
A person’s spinal cord, a tight bundle of nerves and cells, runs downward through a canal in the middle of their vertebrae. The spinal cord sends signals to and from the brain, enabling movement and sensation. An SCI or spinal cord injury occurs when your spinal cord suffers from damage due to direct traumatic injury that results in bruises or partial or complete tears.
A spinal cord injury can also occur due to damaged bones and tissue surrounding the cord. An SCI can cause permanent paralysis and changes to body functions and strength, significantly impacting the affected individual’s quality of life.
SCI clinical trials are designed to help understand spinal cord injuries, devise the latest treatment and management plans, and discover regenerative therapies. They can help alleviate the painful and life-changing symptoms of SCI.
Why Is SCI Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?
SCI is a severe medical condition that causes permanent disabilities and increased mortality and morbidity. Universally, 250,000 to 500,000 people suffer from spinal cord injuries annually. In America, an estimated 17,000 new cases of SCI occur each year, and about 282,000 people are estimated to be living with this injury.
Since there is no way to reverse the damage to the spinal cord, SCI clinical trials can help scientists and medical professionals research new ways to manage the condition. Clinical trials help doctors discover new treatments and drugs to offer supportive care for SCI and alleviate the high risk of morbidities and mortality.
What Are The Types of Treatments Available for SCI?
Spinal cord injuries require immediate medical care on the scene of the injury. The medic should immobilize the head and neck to prevent further damage due to movement. Further SCI treatment is based on age, medical history, health, type and extent of SCI, your response to the initial treatment, and more factors.
While there is no cure for a damaged spinal cord, researchers are looking at ways to encourage spinal cord regeneration via stem cell therapy. Typically, SCI treatment involves ICU care, long-term hospitalization, medications, and rehabilitation. The affected individual might need surgery to stabilize the fractured spine and manage related conditions.
What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials for SCI?
There have been several critical SCI clinical trials in recent years. Here are two notable ones:
2017: Clinical Study of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined with NeuroRegen Scaffold for Repairing Chronic Complete SCI – This clinical trial found that the combined application of hUCB-MSCs and NeuroRegen scaffold is a safe and effective treatment for patients with chronic spinal cord injuries and can inform future SCI clinical trials for SCI repair.
2018: A Phase I Study of Human-Spinal-Cord-Derived Neural Stem Cell Transplantation for Chronic SCI – This clinical trial tested the efficacy and safety of the transplantation of neural stem cells (NSI-566) for chronic SCI treatment. The results of this trial supported NSI-566 transplantation’s safety at the site of the spinal cord injury and early indicators of prospective efficacy. This trial can help support future CSI clinical trial therapies.
Who Are Some of the Key Opinion Leaders / Researchers / Institutions Conducting SCI Trial Research?
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is currently funding and conducting SCO research to protect nerve cells from further damage and prevent cell death. The NINDS’s researches also include studying the spinal cord’s ability to repair itself. Its focus also lies in finding cell-based therapies and retraining central nervous system circuits.
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is devoted to curing SCI by funding the latest research and SCI clinical trials to improve the quality of life for people living with paralysis due to a spinal cord injury. The foundation offers grants and advocates for SCI therapies and research.
About The Author
Michael Gill - B. Sc.
First Published: October 8th, 2021
Last Reviewed: November 20th, 2022
Michael Gill holds a Bachelors of Science in Integrated Science and Mathematics from McMaster University. During his degree he devoted considerable time modeling the pharmacodynamics of promising drug candidates. Since then, he has leveraged this knowledge of the investigational new drug ecosystem to help his father navigate clinical trials for multiple myeloma, an experience which prompted him to co-found Power Life Sciences: a company that helps patients access randomized controlled trials.