The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a phase one clinical trial to assess the efficacy of human Schwann cell transplantation to treat patients with paralysis.
Schwann cells are found in the human peripheral nervous system and play a key role in both the transmission of electrical impulses and the regeneration of nerve fibers. Researchers hope that Schwann cell transplants could be the key to eventual cures for paralysis.
In previous experiments involving mice, rats and pigs, researchers documented a significant restoration of function - sometimes up to 70 percent - after a Schwann cell transplant. The newly announced clinical trial will be, however, the first time that these experiments have been performed on humans.
It remains unclear whether Schwann cell therapy will be an effective treatment for spinal cord injuries, which are often times debilitating. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits are available for those who are injured and unable to work.
Contact a Social Security Disability Lawyer
If you or someone you love is considering applying for Social Security Disability benefits or appealing a denial of benefits, contact an experienced Social Security Disability attorney. A knowledgeable Social Security Disability lawyer can assess your case and provide you with the guidance necessary to get the benefits you deserve. For more information about what a Social Security Disability attorney can do for you, contact us today.
Source: ABC News, "Spinal-Cord Injury Therapy OK'd by FDA Could Lead to Cures," Susan Donaldson James.
"*" indicates required fields
