SCI Research


Despite the pace of progress in SCI research never keeping up with the demand of spinal cord injured people for recovery, there is evidence of increasing collaboration and organisation in spinal cord injury (SCI) research. This increasing maturity is leading to the clinical trial of a number of therapeutic strategies as well as the emergence of multi centre clinical trial networks that are planning to test therapeutic targets in combination.


Participating in clinical trials

A checklist has been developed with the support of the International Campaign for Cures for spinal cord injury Paralysis (ICCP) - Experimental Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury - as part of an ongoing initiative to ensure people are well informed about the risks and potential consequences of any new treatment.

The checklist has questions that potential participants should ask before agreeing to go into experimental treatments, and gives answers that should be given by the team conducting the trial. The questions include areas relating to safety, possible benefits, preclinical evidence, the clinical trial protocol, participation in other trials, payments and costs, and independent assessment of the treatment and investigator.


Research bodies and Foundations participating in SCI Research

Research bodies - Australia

  • The Spinal Cord Injury Network. Established in 2008 to advance research and clinical trials into spinal cord injury and disease. Supported by the NSW Government, this Network draws together leading researchers, clinicians and key stakeholders from Australia and New Zealand. Currently supported by NSW State Government. Pulling all stakeholders together to foster collaboration & clinical trials.
  • The Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute (Spinal Injuries Research Centre), cnr Barker Street & Easy Street, Randwick Australia 2031, tel: 02 9399 1000, fax: 02 9399 1082, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
  • Neurotrauma Research Program. The NRP supports cutting edge scientific and clinical research aimed at repairing and regenerating injured brain and spinal cord tissue and improving long-term functional recovery. Improved therapeutic interventions that optimise patient outcomes will lead to improved independence and quality of life for patients and their families.

Foundations - Australia

  • Spinal Cure Australia (formerly Australasian Spinal Research Trust) was founded in 1994 with the aim of ending the permanence of spinal cord injury (SCI) through, promoting and funding research, fostering cooperation between disciplines engaged in central nervous system and regeneration research and monitoring of progress of research projects funded through SCA and the cooperation of international efforts in the field.
  • Neil Sachse Foundation (formerly Spinal Treatment Australia Inc and Spinal Research Fund of Australia), Executive Officer Neil Sachse, 141 Ifould St, Adelaide South Australia 5000, Tel: 08 8277 1777, Fax: 08 8234 4311, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
  • Australian Spinal Research Foundation (ASRF). Chiropractic research funding agency, PO Box 1047 Springwood QLD 4127, Tel: 07 3808 4098, Fax: 07 3808 8109, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  • Step Ahead Australia. Started in 1999 as The Spinal Cord Society of Australia with a focus on the establishment of local research laboratories here in Australia. In 2008, it became StepAhead Australia.

Research bodies - International

  • ICORD—information on spinal cord injury cure and treatment research. From cells to community: ICORD research is anything from cellular to community level research that addresses a question concerning the promotion of improved functional outcomes and quality of life for people with spinal cord injury. ICORD’s research activities span the continuum from basic, preclinical discovery, to human-based discovery, to acute clinical interventions, to chronic care and rehabilitation, to community integration and participation.
  • SCI Cure - Therapies that restore function in spinal cord injury and related conditions. The Cure Forum contains comprehensive and up-to-date news on curing spinal cord injury. The Research Forums lists abstracts of the latest scientific articles on brain injury & stroke, neurodegeneration, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, spinal cord injury, stem cells, and tranverse myelitis.
  • Spinal Cord Society NZ - is a non-profit organisation for cure, research and treatment of spinal cord injury and related problems.
  • The International Campaign for Cures of Spinal Cord Injury Paralysis (ICCP) is a body of affiliate non-profit organizations, working to fund research into cures for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury. The ICCP coalition mission is "to expedite the discovery of cures for Spinal Cord Injury Paralysis".
  • The Miami Project. The broad scope of research carried out at The Miami Project has focused on answering questions that help define human spinal cord injury and reveal strategies for the repair of damaged spinal tissue.  The team has also made advances in knowledge that have improved the current care of people with SCI.

Foundations - International

  • The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.
  • The Foundation for Spinal Cord Injury Prevention, Care & Cure (FSCIPCC) is a non-profit educational group dedicated to the prevention, care and cure of spinal cord injuries through public awareness, education and funding research.
  • SCI Solutions Network (Canada). The Rick Hansen Institute is a collaboration of people with spinal cord injuries, researchers and service providers committed to addressing priority needs and generating solutions for people with SCI.
  • PVA Research Foundation. The Paralyzed Veterans of America is a veterans service organization, chartered by the United States Congress, dedicated solely to those US service personnel who have experienced a traumatic spinal cord injury or spinal cord disease. The PVA Research Foundation was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1976 with the goal of building capacity through pilot investigations and post-doctoral fellowships in the basic sciences, applied clinical, and assistive technology fields related to the spinal cord.
  • Spinal Research is the UK’s leading charity funding medical research around the world to develop reliable treatments for paralysis caused by a broken back or neck.

  

 
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