MD Stem Cells Announces New Spinal Cord Stem Cell Treatment Combined with Exoskeleton and Virtual Reality
MD Stem Cells coordinates latest technologies to advance stem cell treatment of paraplegia.
Westport, CT, February 12, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Spinal cord injury recovery remains the "Holy Grail" of regenerative medicine because many patients suffering spinal cord damage and paralysis are active people experiencing a life changing injury suddenly and without warning. MD Stem Cells has recently obtained institutional review board approval for a new clinical patient treatment study for spinal cord injury using bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSC). It is called the Stem Cell Spinal Cord Injury Exoskeleton and Virtual Reality study or SciExVR for short.
The study uses 6 paraspinal injections of the stem cells in paralyzed patients both at the level of the damaged segment and segments above and below this level combined with intravenous and intranasal stem cells. Additions to this treatment may include exoskeletal mobility or virtual reality visualization to provide additional stimulation in the hoped for regeneration of motor and sensory neurons.
Paraspinal means next to the spinal nerves as they exit the spinal cord. By giving injections not only adjacent to the level of injury but also segments above and below, it is hoped that the axons will have greater regenerative potential. Similarly the axons of the sensory neurons that travel up the spinal cord to the brain and provide touch and other sensation from below the injury may have improved recovery. Following the paraspinal injections, the remaining stem cells are provided intravenously which is in the vein in the arm, and intranasally which is within the nose.
“In pre-clinical models, Bone Marrow Stem Cells (BMSC) given intravenously have been shown to pass through the lungs easily and enter the brain through the paraventricular organs,” explained Dr. Steven Levy, CEO & President of MD Stem Cells, Study Director and developer of SciExVR. “The study also places BMSC intranasal because in pre-clinical models they may enter the brain through the 5th cranial nerves or Trigeminal nerves.”
In some ways even more exciting is the combination of stem cells with Exoskeleton and Virtual Reality technology.
Exoskeleton is the use of supports powered by motors which allows patients with paraplegia to stand and walk. Exoskeleton has been used by itself to make some improvements in function but SciExVR is the first study to seek to combine stem cells with this technology. It is hoped that mechanical stimulation of proprioceptors below the injury, combined with adjacent stimulation of motor neurons in the brain, will augment the stem cell effects.
“Virtual Reality is very exciting because by engaging the brain in the thought of moving the legs, the brain sends signals down any remaining or partially functional motor neurons,” explained Dr. Levy. “The brain and the spinal cord is very adaptable and it is hoped that increasing spinal neuron stimulation through Exoskeleton and Virtual Reality will help increase the stem cells effects. This is the first effort to combine stem cells and VR in a comprehensive clinical study.”
In addition to Stem Cell Spinal Cord Injury Exoskeleton and Virtual Reality (SciExVR) National Clinical Trial for spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia, MD Stem Cells is the Sponsor of the Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II (SCOTS 2), and the Neurology Stem Cell Treatment study (NEST).
Patients interested in treatment in SciExVR, SCOTS 2, or NEST may contact MD Stem Cells by email - stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com - by phone 203-423-9494 or by visiting the website www.mdstemcells.com and using the Contact Us page. All studies may be reviewed on www.clinicaltrials.gov and typing in the name of the study or the NCT number. Please follow us on Twitter @mdstemcells.com for updates about stem cell treatments.
The study uses 6 paraspinal injections of the stem cells in paralyzed patients both at the level of the damaged segment and segments above and below this level combined with intravenous and intranasal stem cells. Additions to this treatment may include exoskeletal mobility or virtual reality visualization to provide additional stimulation in the hoped for regeneration of motor and sensory neurons.
Paraspinal means next to the spinal nerves as they exit the spinal cord. By giving injections not only adjacent to the level of injury but also segments above and below, it is hoped that the axons will have greater regenerative potential. Similarly the axons of the sensory neurons that travel up the spinal cord to the brain and provide touch and other sensation from below the injury may have improved recovery. Following the paraspinal injections, the remaining stem cells are provided intravenously which is in the vein in the arm, and intranasally which is within the nose.
“In pre-clinical models, Bone Marrow Stem Cells (BMSC) given intravenously have been shown to pass through the lungs easily and enter the brain through the paraventricular organs,” explained Dr. Steven Levy, CEO & President of MD Stem Cells, Study Director and developer of SciExVR. “The study also places BMSC intranasal because in pre-clinical models they may enter the brain through the 5th cranial nerves or Trigeminal nerves.”
In some ways even more exciting is the combination of stem cells with Exoskeleton and Virtual Reality technology.
Exoskeleton is the use of supports powered by motors which allows patients with paraplegia to stand and walk. Exoskeleton has been used by itself to make some improvements in function but SciExVR is the first study to seek to combine stem cells with this technology. It is hoped that mechanical stimulation of proprioceptors below the injury, combined with adjacent stimulation of motor neurons in the brain, will augment the stem cell effects.
“Virtual Reality is very exciting because by engaging the brain in the thought of moving the legs, the brain sends signals down any remaining or partially functional motor neurons,” explained Dr. Levy. “The brain and the spinal cord is very adaptable and it is hoped that increasing spinal neuron stimulation through Exoskeleton and Virtual Reality will help increase the stem cells effects. This is the first effort to combine stem cells and VR in a comprehensive clinical study.”
In addition to Stem Cell Spinal Cord Injury Exoskeleton and Virtual Reality (SciExVR) National Clinical Trial for spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia, MD Stem Cells is the Sponsor of the Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study II (SCOTS 2), and the Neurology Stem Cell Treatment study (NEST).
Patients interested in treatment in SciExVR, SCOTS 2, or NEST may contact MD Stem Cells by email - stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com - by phone 203-423-9494 or by visiting the website www.mdstemcells.com and using the Contact Us page. All studies may be reviewed on www.clinicaltrials.gov and typing in the name of the study or the NCT number. Please follow us on Twitter @mdstemcells.com for updates about stem cell treatments.
Contact
MD Stem Cells
Steven Levy MD
203-423-9494
www.mdstemcells.com
Steven Levy MD
203-423-9494
www.mdstemcells.com
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