CPA Ontario

Fish and some amphibians regenerate their spinal cords after injury. But this ability was lost as higher animals evolved. So, in humans after spinal
cord injury, the stem-like cells in the adult spinal cord just start to divide, then stop without repairing the spinal cord. Dr. Michel Rathbone explains why
this happens, and some exciting new research findings. It may be possible for humans, like fish and amphibians, to regenerate nerves in the spinal cord

The video provides a comprehensive overview of the primary care section in our healthcare system.

The developing plans for the first ever formal human clinical trial of a human embryonic stem cell derived therapy for SCI and new opportunities for individuals with SCI to be involved in clinical trials addressing secondary medical complications. The opportunities arise from the rollout of the ONF SCI Research agendas for Urological Care and Management of Pressure Sores.

Speaker: Dr. Hayes, PhD, Professor in the dept., of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Dept. of Physiology and Pharmacology, U of Western; Senior Scientist at the Lawson Health Research Inst., London, ON

Chronic pain is a frequent and frustrating consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). It can impact the quality of an individual’s daily life and their ability to perform their job as usual. It is important that a person understands their pain so they can learn to manage it to have a full and active life.

Individuals with SCI have an increased risk of encountering many different secondary conditions over the years following their injury. Dr. Wolfe will discuss the most common and serious of these conditions and some strategies to help prevent and manage them.

Speaker: Dr. Dalton L. Wolfe, PhD, Associate Scientist in the Program of Aging, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON

There is great promise that the spinal cord can be repaired with stem cells. However, there is currently no definite evidence that this strategy will be effective for human SCI’s. This talk will review all current experimental and human trials of this strategy in SCI.

Speaker: Dr. Charles H. Tator, CM, MD, MA, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, Dept. of Surgery, Div. Of Neurosurgery, U of T and Toronto Western Hospital