title: Clinical trials in spinal cord injury: lessons learned on the path to translation. The 2011 International Spinal Cord Society Sir Ludwig Guttmann Lecture.
abstract: After three decades of clinical research on interventions to improve neurological outcomes in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), the promise of preclinical discovery has yet to be translated into a consensus standard of care treatment. Nonetheless, SCI researchers remain hopeful that advances in preclinical discovery coupled with improved clinical trial performance will yield effective restorative treatment. This historical review of key studies in SCI over the past 30 years illustrates the progress that has been achieved in establishing a high standard in the conduct of clinical research while providing important lessons for improving trial design, conduct and reporting. Through application of these lessons, the performance of SCI trials can be improved, thereby shortening the pathway to successful translation and the development of effective therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Craig Hospital, Englewood, CO 80113, USA. dlammertse@craighospital.org
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Lammertse
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D064987:Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005791:Patient Care / Q000592:standards; D017594:Publication Bias; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000266:history / Q000628:therapy*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000266:history
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside; D008775:Methylprednisolone