Research Initiatives

The known benefits of exercise together with anecdotal and clinical case study evidence already provides strong support for the value of advanced restoration therapies (RT) in helping individuals with spinal cord injury recover sensation, function and mobility. The next step for spinal cord injury researchers will be evaluating the results of clinical trials designed to measure the therapies’ efficacy. A retrospective trial of 60 adult patients’ response to advanced restoration therapies is already underway; a new collaboration between Kennedy Krieger and Philadelphia’s Shriner’s hospital will involve prospective evaluation of therapy’s impact on pediatric spinal cord injuries.

In addition to these groundbreaking clinical trials, Dr. McDonald, Dr. Sadowsky and their colleagues are also exploring new ways to perform cell transplantation. Currently, cell transplantation involves an expensive, complex procedure requiring a long-term inpatient hospital stay. In addition, the cell supply is limited. Using animal models, Dr. McDonald is developing a new transplantation process that can be done on an outpatient basis using nuclear transfer of embryonic stem cells. Depending on the focus of a particular study, the Center’s research personnel can rely on a wide variety of technologies to gather and evaluate their data. Techniques in regular use include organotypic culture, immunohistochemistry, autoradiography, fluorescence videomicroscopy, calcium imaging, electron microscopy, and frozen, paraffin and plastic section light microscopy.

For additional information on current research studies or to inquire about participating in clinical trials please contact (888) 923-9222 or (443) 923-9222.