Stem Cell Therapy Enables Paralyzed Patient to Stand and Walk in Keio University Study

A patient paralyzed due to a spinal cord injury has regained the ability to stand and take initial steps following an innovative stem cell treatment. The study, conducted by Keio University in Tokyo, involved transplanting neural stem cells derived from donor cells into four male patients with severe spinal cord injuries between December 2021 and 2023. Two patients showed significant progress: one is now able to stand and practice walking, while the other regained movement in their arms and legs. The other two patients experienced no adverse side effects, suggesting the therapy's safety. The research, initiated in 2019, focuses on using reprogrammed stem cells to repair permanent spinal cord damage. Researchers injected two million neural precursor cells directly into the injury site. These cells can transform into neurons and glial cells, essential for nervous system function. Hideyuki Okano, the study's lead author, highlights the potential for restoring disrupted neural circuits and repairing damaged nerve structures.