Cure to spinal injury is likely to emerge from

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) often result in permanent disability because neurons in the central nervous system cannot effectively regenerate on their own [t5]. Stem cell therapy has emerged as the most promising strategy for a cure because stem cells possess unique properties of self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into various cell types, including neurons and glia [t2, t4]. Clinical studies have utilized various types of cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and neural stem/progenitor cells, to promote the repair of damaged neural tissue [t1, t6]. These cells can replace lost neural populations, provide neuroprotection, and promote axon regeneration [t2, t9]. While gene therapy and other methods are being researched as adjuncts, stem cell transplantation is the primary focus of regenerative medicine for restoring sensory and motor functions in SCI patients [t3, t6].

Sources

1. [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529425000268
2. [2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2678281/
3. [3] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1465324905708240
4. [4] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-022-01134-4