College Gets $1 Million to Study Stem Cell Treatment for Pain
The Medical College of Wisconsin received a $1 million grant to study the use of genetically-modified stem cells to treat chronic pain.The grant comes from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
The study involves modifying the stem cells of rats derived from their own bone marrow or fat.The cells will be designed to produce painkilling chemicals and will be implanted at the site of nerve damage.The college’s professor of anesthesiology, Dr. Quinn Hogan, will lead the research which may eventually lead to an effective treatment for patients with chronic pain
The college says neuropathic pain is a common type of chronic pain that often follows a nerve injury.It is often resistant to painkillers and affects 2 to 3 percent of the population.
Stem cells hold great promise in treating a variety of diseases and conditions, and this research by theMedical College of Wisconsin could be of great benefit.Some conditions, such as joint, tendon and muscle injuries, are treatable now with stem cells.Other conditions, such as ALS, diabetes, heart disease, macular degeneration and MS, appear to be treatable with stem cell therapy, but widespread treatment is still in the near-future.
If you’re in pain or had an injury and are looking for an alternative to surgery, contact us immediately at one of our locations. Our Main Medical Center located in Tampa Bay, Florida (727) 462-5582 or at Beverly Hills, California (310) 975-7033.
