Paralyzed Patient Gains Muscle Strength Following New Stem Cell Treatment

WESTPORT, Conn. - Jan. 17, 2018 - PRLog -- MD Stem Cell reports that their initial patient in the Stem Cell Spinal Cord Injury Exoskeleton and Virtual Reality Study (SciExVR) NCT 03225625 is showing improvements in muscle strength, sensory, and completeness in the first several months following treatment.

SciExVR uses Bone Marrow Derived Stem Cells (BMSC) injected on both sides of the spine at, above and below the level of injury for a total of 6 injections, followed by intravenous and intranasal BMSC to additionally reach the brain with its motor, sensory and autonomic pathways.  Treatment is performed at a fully licensed surgical center by a board certified, spinal fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon.  At this time the study is only accepting patients with paraplegia and injuries at the Thoracic or Lumbar levels.  In the future it may be expanded to cervical injuries and quadriplegia.

The patient suffered a Thoracic level (T11) fracture over 2 years prior to entering the study. He is paraplegic and has had access to an Exoskeletal system for physical therapy prior to and during participation in the SciExVR.  Measurements were made using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Injury Assessment  commonly called an ASIA score. Before the procedure the patient was graded a Complete A/B, after 1 month had improved to an Incomplete B. Pin Prick and Light Touch Sensory has improved up to 1 to 2 levels depending on measurement date.  Anal sensation and contraction, absent before treatment, has returned indicating motor and sensory function at S4-5.  Total Lower Extremity Muscle (LEM) strength improved from 4 to 7 by 3 months with right L2 improving 1 level of strength and left L2 and L3 also improving 1 level of strength.  All measurements have been performed by the patient's personal physicians, not affiliated with the study.  The patient has also reported feeling the movement of his knees, quadriceps muscles, and digestive movement suggesting return of some proprioceptive function.

"To have any improvement in these parameters within a few months of treatment is extremely exciting" according to Steven Levy MD, CEO of MD Stem Cells, developer of the SciExVR study and Study Director for SciExVR.  "We hope there is further strengthening of these muscle groups and perhaps extension of strength to additional levels.  It is considered very unusual for patients with loss of S4-5 to recover.  To have improvement of sensory and motor function at S4-5 as a result of the treatment in SciExVR is very positive.  We hope that additional improvement will occur in the L4 to S level segments."

Patients interested in the SciExVR study should contact Dr. Levy directly at stevenlevy@mdstemcells.com or go to the website www.mdstemcells.com and use the contact us page.