Science in action – London 2013
Researchers from nine different countries attended the Spinal Research conference in London this Autumn to discuss the latest scientific breakthroughs that could help reverse paralysis for people in years to come.
“It was incredibly stimulating to hear about ground-breaking work investigating ways to repair damaged spinal cords from around the globe, “ said Research Director, Mark Bacon, from Spinal Research. “This highly influential annual event allows people at every stage of their career to learn from each other’s progress and to forge strong links that we hope will pay off in the future with collaborations and interactions around basic, clinical and translational science.”
“Spinal Research is very committed to its goal of conducting clinical trials as soon as possible with appropriate therapies, where the evidence of their potential is clear. There are many challenges ahead to address. In recent years one of the priorities of the Spinal Research Annual Research Network Meeting has been to increase clinical units’ participation in our events. As clinical trials advance and basic science continues to feed the pipeline, partnerships between scientists and clinicians are crucial. This meeting provides an excellent forum in which to build such relationships.”
About 120 leading international researchers discussed advances in basic and translational SCI research. Held over two days and covering 9 themed sessions, the meeting heard from speakers on a wide-ranging list of topics that included; axon regeneration, the use of stem cells in repair and new understanding about how injury affects other organs and the development of pain.
Sessions also introduced the work of those looking to exploit new biomaterials and nanotechnology in the global quest to reverse paralysis and a review of recent advances in non-invasive imaging of the cord.
Highlights – as identified by Spinal Research’s Mark Bacon – included Acorda’s Chief Scientific Officer, Andrew Blight, discussing his company’s plans to take a magnesium-based treatment commonly used in the treatment of eclampsia to clinical trial for acute SCI and Susan Harkema (University of Louisville, USA), who described the astonishment of her team when a man with a complete spinal cord injury received an epidural stimulation for the first time and was able to stand.
“True”, said Mark, “earlier studies have seen the same result but previously studies involved people with less severe injuries. With complete injuries there had been little hope with the individual included “more as a control …. not really expected to respond”. Susan Harkema’s work is of great interest.”
Finally, for followers of anatomical physiology there was a compelling case put by Stuart Baker (University of Newcastle) that humans may make use of more than one specialised tract in the spinal cord to control movement.
Spinal Research has committed more than £21 million over the years to a wide range of research projects and has been able to support essential research that has, in turn, enabled researchers to secure major grants from government and other funding bodies. Spinal Research, itself, receives no government aid and invests as much of its income as possible into vital research.
Have you or any of your family or friends thought of becoming a regular giver to support Spinal Research’s international research projects and play a key part in converting scientific breakthroughs into actual treatments for spinally injured people?
