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CSRO MAGAZINE
BACK ISSUES
Our research initiatives continue to move forward. After all is said and
done, advancing our goal is the barometer I use to determine CSRO’s
progress. We are looking towards 1997 with the anticipation of bringing
projects from the scientific area to clinical trials with spinal cord injured
people.
Research is truly a team effort involving many principles. We are fortunate
to have dedicated individuals in the neuroscience and neurosurgical fields
working with us. However, they can only accomplish our goal of reversing
paralysis if they have the funding to do it. That is our priority. Our
job is to put funds into these projects and develop new ones. The commitment
from our researchers is solid. They have seen the advances and know that
something can be done about paralysis.
Many scientific and medical hurdles have been overcome because we have
set our goals and kept them. There is now more understanding of paralysis
and spinal cord injury than ever before and we are proud to have been able
to keep the momentum going. By targeting our research, we have made great
strides.
With the financial support of corporations, foundations, and the general
public, we are meeting the challenge of improving the physical quality
of life for people with spinal cord injuries. Your financial assistance
to CSRO is making all the difference between being in a wheelchair and
walking again. Curing paralysis is scientifically and medically achievable.
It is not a question of "if" but one of "when." Your support will get us
there sooner.
Ray Wickson
President
| Partnerships,
Prevention, & Accomplishments of CSRO |
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The Canadian Spinal Research Organization (CSRO) is a world recognized
leader in the search for a cure for paralysis resulting from traumatic
spinal cord injuries. The strides the CSRO is making in its understanding
of paralysis will soon benefit more than 30,000 Canadian who are paralyzed
because of a spinal cord injury (SCI). These injuries occur mainly to young
individuals under 30 years of age, through automobile, sports, diving and
industrial accidents. A spinal cord injury will cost millions of dollars
for a lifetime of mobility aids, medical equipment, attendant care and
medication. This program outlines the work of CSRO to help stop these costly
injuries and through their research, reverse the paralyzing effects associated
with SCI.
Twelve Years of Research Accomplishment
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
• Nerve Regeneration Using Electrical Fields
UNIVERSITY OF QUEBEC AT MONTREAL
• Patterned Electrical Stimulation in Rehabilitation
MCMASTER UNIVERSITY, HAMILTON
• Spinal Cord Hypothermia
• Enteric Neurotransplantation
UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO, LONDON
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Human Clinical
Trials
• 4-Aminopyridine, Human Clinical Trials
• Clenbuterol, Drug Interactions
PURDUE UNIVERSITY, WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA
• 4-Aminopyridine, Concentrated Dosages in Spinal
Cord Injuries
• Oscillating Field Stimulation
• Enteric Neurotransplantation
THE ROWETT RESEARCH INSTITUTE, ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND
• Clenbuterol
ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL, HAMILTON
• 4-Aminopyridine, Human Clinical Trials
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL
• 4-Aminopyridine and Impulse Conduction
• Nerve Regeneration using Electrical Fields
LYNDHURST, THE SPINAL CORD CENTRE
• Long Term Health Research Program
• Medical Evaluation Questionnaire
Prevention AwarenessPrograms
The CSRO is working to reduce the incidence of SCI by sponsoring prevention
programs for schools. One successful program is a presentation in which
high-school students learn first hand the importance of responsible drinking
and safe diving practices. The CSRO, has produced a training video for
lifeguards, in cooperation with the Royal Lifesaving Society of Canada,
to teach them proper techniques for rescuing spinal injured swimmers.
Building Partnerships
CSRO continues to build its alliance with Lyndhurst -The Spinal Cord Centre.
The national database (MEQ) has been updated from its old DOS based format
into a new Windows ‘95 program that allows for easier data entry
and a more powerful query tool. CSRO is happy to continue its partnership
of cure research and rehabilitation research with Lyndhurst.
Chapter Networks
Much of the CSRO’s success can be attributed to the support of its
network of Chapters across Canada. These Chapters who are active in their
respective communities demonstrate the CSRO’s commitment to have
spinal injured persons participate actively in the search for a cure for
paralysis.
I am pleased to report on the progress we have made in the following five
targeted areas of research.
4-Aminopyridine (4-AP) Human Clinical Trials
CSRO funded research with spinal injured persons has medically shown that
4-AP has positive results when administered to incomplete spinal cord injured
(SCI) individuals. We continue in the research and development of this
important drug and hopefully will make this drug available to those who
will benefit most from it. Imagine for the first time the potential of
an individual with a spinal cord injury having the ability to move paralyzed
limbs better than ever thought possible, feeling no more burning pain sensation
and no more muscle wrenching spasms.
Clenbuterol
We are looking at two beneficial aspects of this drug. The first is improving
the respiratory function of quadriplegics. When a person becomes quadriplegic,
respiratory function is significantly compromised. Clenbuterol has shown
the potential to improve this weakened respiratory function. Secondly,
the drug also shows signs of reducing muscle atrophy following a SCI and
maintaining vital muscle bulk critical for follow-up physiotherapy and
rehabilitation after an injury.
Oscillating Field Stimulators (OFS)
These are units (about the size of a small battery) which are implanted
near the damaged area of the spinal cord. Successful in canine applications,
OFS are now approaching the human clinical trial stage.
Three-dimensional Imaging of the Spinal Cord
CSRO has funded initial research into 3-D imaging of the spinal cord. We
are trying to develop means to allow surgeons and researchers to see the
extent of damage in the spinal area. This will be a very valuable diagnostic
tool. This project is a collaborative effort between McMaster and Purdue
Universities.
Enteric Neurotransplantation
A major factor in SCI is the destruction of neuron cells in the spinal
cord. We are researching methods of replacing these destroyed cells with
the bodies own neuron cells taken from the abdomen. We are determining
if these cells can take on the characteristics of those neuron cells found
in the central nervous system. These studies are at an early stage with
Dr. Rathbone of McMaster University and is a very important project for
the CSRO having a great deal of potential.
These five research projects set the stage for a very exciting 1997.
Dr. Robert R. Hansebout, M.D., FRCS(C), FACS
Partnered Relationships
The Canadian Spinal Research Organization was pleased to announce the licensing
agreement with Acorda Therapeutics Inc. of New York. As the licensee, Acorda
Therapeutics is responsible for developing and funding the final phases
of human clinical trials needed to obtain approval from the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in the United States and the Health Protection Branch
of Health Canada (HPB).
Approval is required by these governing health agencies to bring 4-Aminopyridine
to market. The CSRO will continue to work with Acorda Therapeutics to bring
this to human use.
All of us at the CSRO are pleased with this development and look forward
to the completion of this important research initiative.
The following companies recognize that they have many employees and customers
that benefit from the work of our organization. We thank them for their
support.
FOUNDING CORPORATE MEMBERS
The Royal Bank of Canada Charitable Foundation
Barrick Gold Corporation
Biomedical Engineering Service & Support Inc.
BOC Canada Ltd.
Alberta Energy Company Ltd.
Apple Computer Canada
The Helen Mary Armstrong Research Trust
The Bank of Montreal
The Bank of Nova Scotia
The Sandra Burton Trust Fund
The J.P. Bickell Foundation
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Canon O.E. Inc.
Citibank Canada
Consumers Gas Company Ltd.
Contemporary Personnel Inc.
Co-operators General Insurance Co.
Cossette Communications/Marketing
DuPont Canada Inc.
The Eaton Foundation
IBM Employees’ Charitable Fund
Entraide Steve LaChance Inc.
The Hudson’s Bay Co.
The Imperial Oil Charitable Foundation
The Norman & Margaret Charitable Foundation
The John Labatt Foundation
Levi Strauss & Co. Inc.
Manulife Financial
Maple Leaf Foods
McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Ltd.
Newcastle Capital Management Inc.
Prudential Insurance Company
Quebecor Printing Inc.
RBC Dominion Securities Foundation
ScotiaMcLeod Ltd.
Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada
Talisman Energy Inc.
Tenet Computer Group Inc.
Therapy Supplies & Rental Ltd.
The Toronto Dominion Bank
The Toronto Sun Publishing Corporation
TransCanada Pipelines Ltd.
Tridon Limited
Union Gas Employees’ Fund
Warner-Lambert Canada Inc.
Wellington Insurance Company
Workers Temporary Help Ltd.
World Media Brokers Inc.
Xerox Cananda
CONTRIBUTING CORPORATE MEMBERS
Avenor Employees’ Charitable Fund
Baan Company
Caritas Health Group
General Motors of Canada Ltd.
The Horsham Corporation
IMASCO Ltd.
INCO Ltd.
JP Morgan & Co. Inc.
Maritime Life
Munich Reinsurance Co.of Canada
National Life Assurance of Canada
Ortho-McNeil Inc.
Paramount Canada’s Wonderland
Petro-Canada
Power Corporation of Canada
Scotiabank
Star Data Systems Inc.
Toronto Industries Ltd.
Toronto Star Newspapers Ltd.
Walker Brothers Quarries Ltd.
Zurich Canadian Holdings Ltd.
Corporations Dedicated Commitment
Royal Bank Of Canada Charitable Foundation
The Royal Bank of Canada Charitable Foundation continues to be CSRO’s
leading research partner. Their commitment to the advancement of spinal
cord research is demonstrated by their contribution of the Medical Evaluation
Questionnaire Program.
Imperial Oil
The Imperial Oil Charitable Foundation’s commitment to health and
social services for children and youth in Canada is reflected in their
support for the CSRO’s High School for Prevention Project. The Imperial
Oil Charitable Foundation is a Founding Corporate Member and is proud to
continue its support of the CSRO.
Barrick Gold Corporation
Barrick Gold Corporation is a Founding Corporate Member of CSRO. They have
been dedicated in the search for a cure for paralysis for the past 5 years
with their generous annual contributions. Long term partnership commitments
have a positive impact on the ability to commit to research projects.
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