Korean J Neurotrauma.  2016 Oct;12(2):40-46. 10.13004/kjnt.2016.12.2.40.

Current Concept of Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury: A Review

• Oh SK
• Jeon SR

• KMID: 2356771
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13004/kjnt.2016.12.2.40

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic condition associated with significant neurological deficit, social, and financial burdens. Over the past decades, various treatments including medication, surgery, and rehabilitation therapy for SCI have been performed, but there were no definite treatment option to improve neurological function of patients with chronic SCI. Therefore, new treatment trials with stem cells have been studied to regenerate injured spinal cord. Among various types of stem cells, bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells is highly expected as candidates for the stem cell therapy. The result of the current research showed that direct intramedullary injection to the injured spinal cord site in subacute phase is most effective. Neurological examination, electrophysiologic studies, and magnetic resonance imaging are commonly used to assess the effectiveness of treatment. Diffusion tensor imaging visualizing white matter tract can be also alternative option to identify neuronal regeneration. Despite various challenging issues, stem cell therapy will open new perspectives for SCI treatment.

Keyword

Bone marrow; Cell therapy; Clinical trial; Mesenchymal stem cells; Spinal cord injury

MeSH Terms

Bone Marrow
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Neurologic Examination
Neurons
Regeneration
Rehabilitation
Spinal Cord Injuries*
Spinal Cord*
Stem Cells*
White Matter

Figure

• 

  FIGURE 1 (A) Discontinuity of white matter fiber on pre-treatment diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) (arrow) (B) remained on DTI 6 months after mesenchymal stem cells injection (arrow). DTI evaluated at 6 months after the operation (D) revealed newly generated continuity in fiber signals (arrowhead) compared to preoperative DTI (arrowhead) (C).

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