title: GM-1 ganglioside administration combined with physical therapy restores ambulation in humans with chronic spinal cord injury.
abstract: In a randomized double-blind cross-over study, humans with chronic spinal cord injury received ganglioside GM-1 or placebo for 2 months. GM-1, administered intravenously at a dose of 100 mg, 6 days a week, resulted in a statistically significant improvement of motor scores (P < 0.05), whether administered before or after 2 months of placebo. There was no placebo effect on motor scores. Subjects who received GM-1 before placebo maintained their improvement during the placebo phase. Subjects who received GM-1 ambulated with a reciprocal gait, using orthotics, for longer distances and at a faster rate whether the drug was administered before or after placebo. These results constitute the first finding that any chemical substance improves locomotion in human chronic spinal cord injury.
authors.affiliation: Walker Institute, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside