breakthroughs
new hope for
spinal cord injury sufferers
Queensland researchers are
“Up until now, doctors had no real “As a result, we have been able
treatment options to deal with this to quickly progress this treatment
problem,” Dr Ruitenberg said. from the lab to the clinic,” she said.
“What we discovered in our The trial will run for three years and
In the study, led by The University animal studies is intravenous will aim to recruit 20 participants
of Queensland and The Princess immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy can through the PA Hospital, which is
Alexandra (PA) Hospital, a new reduce this harmful inflammation Queensland’s primary centre for
anti-inflammatory drug will be and, excitingly, significantly spinal injury care.
given to participants within hours improve the recovery from serious of spinal trauma in an effort to spinal cord injuries.”
launching a world-first clinical trial
aimed at improving recovery from
spinal cord injuries.
minimise tissue damage.
“Spinal injuries are devastating,
and with few options available to
Spinal surgeon Dr Kate Campbell, effectively treat the inflammation
Dr Marc Ruitenberg, from the who is heading up the trial with Dr that occurs, we are very pleased
university’s School of Biomedical Ruitenberg, said one of the great that Dr Ruitenberg’s team are
Sciences, said when the spinal cord is benefits of IVIg is that it is safe and getting closer to finding a
injured, it becomes inflamed and this already used in the hospital for solution,” Dr Campbell said.
causes a lot of additional damage. other conditions.
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