title: Functional recovery in chronic stage of spinal cord injury by neurorestorative approach: a case report.
abstract: Spinal cord injury (SCI) at an early age can be debilitating for the child's growth. Current treatments show a level of stagnancy, after which the recovery is minimal. Cellular therapy is an emerging area of research and has been found to possess many benefits in the previous studies. Transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) has demonstrated therapeutic potential for many neurological conditions, including spinal cord injury. Here we report a case of 6-year-old girl with traumatic SCI at the level of C7-D1 4 years back, who underwent 2 doses of cell transplantation with autologous BMMNCs with an interval of 6 months along with standard rehabilitation. The patient did not have any major or minor side effects. The patient showed clinical improvements throughout the 6 months after transplantation, which was assessed using Functional Independence Measure (before: 82, after: 101 out of 126). There were patchy areas of sensory gain in bilateral feet recorded, with improvements in the bladder sensation and control. Improved gait was seen as a result of better strength in abdominals and back extensors. The fact that there was functional improvement in the chronic plateau phase indicates the potential of cell therapy in chronic SCI. Further clinical studies are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Services and Clinical Research, NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute, Surana Sethia Hospital and Research Centre, Suman Nagar, Sion Trombay Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400071, India.
authors.forename: Alok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Development, NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute, Surana Sethia Hospital and Research Centre, Suman Nagar, Sion Trombay Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400071, India.
authors.forename: Hemangi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sane
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Development, NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute, Surana Sethia Hospital and Research Centre, Suman Nagar, Sion Trombay Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400071, India.
authors.forename: Dipti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Khopkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Services and Clinical Research, NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute, Surana Sethia Hospital and Research Centre, Suman Nagar, Sion Trombay Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400071, India.
authors.forename: Nandini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gokulchandran
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurorehabilitation, NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute, Surana Sethia Hospital and Research Centre, Suman Nagar, Sion Trombay Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400071, India.
authors.forename: V C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurorehabilitation, NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute, Surana Sethia Hospital and Research Centre, Suman Nagar, Sion Trombay Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400071, India.
authors.forename: Joji
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Services and Clinical Research, NeuroGen Brain and Spine Institute, Surana Sethia Hospital and Research Centre, Suman Nagar, Sion Trombay Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400071, India.
authors.forename: Prerna
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Badhe
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