Health Beat: Stem cells for paralysis: 1st of its kind study

SAN DIEGO -

Two years ago, Brenda Guerra's life changed forever.

"They told me that I went into a ditch and was ejected out of the vehicle," Guerra said.

The accident left the 26-year-old paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair.

"I don't feel any of my lower body at all," she said.

Guerra has traveled from Kansas to UC San Diego to be the first patient to participate in a groundbreaking safety trial, testing stem cells for paralysis.

"We are directly injecting the stem cells into the spine," said Dr. Joseph D. Ciacci, professor of neurosurgery at UC San Diego.

The stem cells come from fetal spinal cords. The idea is when they're transplanted they will develop into new neurons and bridge the gap created by the injury by replacing severed or lost nerve connections. They did that in animals, and doctors are hoping for similar results in humans. The ultimate goal is to help people like Guerra walk again.

"The ability to walk is obviously a big deal not only in quality of life issues, but it also affects your survival long-term," Ciacci said.

Guerra received her injection and will be followed for five long years. She knows it's only a safety trial, but she's hoping for the best.

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Health Beat: Stem cells for paralysis: 1st of its kind study