cell transplant helps paralyzed man walk with frame aayush mittal eco 5550 24.11.14
TRANSCRIPT
Cell Transplant Helps Paralyzed Man Walk With FrameAayush MittalECO 555024.11.14https://www.yahoo.com/health/cell-transplant-helps-paralyzed-man-walk-with-frame-10058394707
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What is Paralysis?
Paralysis is loss of muscle function in an area of the body
This is due to a disconnect in the messages between the brain and the body
Paralysis is usually caused by strokes, spinal cord injuries, etc.
Can also be caused by:Nerve Diseases
Autoimmune diseases
Paralysis Trends in the U.S.
1/50 Americans are Paralyzed to some degree
The two major causes of Paralysis are:Strokes 1.6 million Americans
Spinal Cord Injuries 1.275 million Americans – 23%
# of People with Spinal Cord Injury related paralysis (1.275 million Americans) is 5 TIMES the amount estimated 2007
Accidents at work were the number one cause of spinal cord injuries, followed by motor vehicle accidents, and sporting or recreation accidents.
Paralysis in the Workplace
Info from Australian Government:
The Employment Assistance Fund provides financial assistance…to help people with disability…perform their work as…productively as possible.
“As Possible” – Paralysis causes a lost in productivity which results in an increase in cost for employers
Employers may have to install wheelchair accessible work stations/ramps and automatic sliding doors – increase in cost for employers
What is this “Cure”?
“The technique…involved transplanting what are known as olfactory ensheathing cells into the patient’s spinal cord and constructing a ‘nerve bridge’ between two stumps of the damaged spinal column.”
Basically, this cure is implanting cells into the spinal column to serve as a bridge between the two damaged parts of the column
These cells for the implantation are known as OECs and ONFs (explained in next slide)
Researchers plan to do this treatment with 3-5 other individuals over the next 3-5 years
What are OECs and ONFs?
(OECs) – Olfactory Ensheathing Cells
(ONFs) – Olfactory Nerve Fibroblasts
Basically, these cells originally form nerve fibers that give us our sense of smell
Olfactory = related to smell
These nerve fibers, once implanted into the spinal cord, create the “cure” for paralysis
Current Treatment Options
Mobility aids – Do not treat anything, just make life easier
Wheelchairs
Scooters
Braces/Orthoses
Neuropathic pain treatment – Just treatment of pain, does not add to mobility
This pain does not respond to normal pain killers like Ibuprofen
Need other types of medicine like amitriptyline or pregabalin
Cure = Decrease in Demand for Current Treatment Options
D*
Quantity
D
Price
S*
Q*
P*
P
Q
Economic Impact
Current Spending on Paralysis is not That High $ spent on pain killer, mobility, etc.
Future Spending Would Drastically Increase A Procedure costs a lot more
Increase in Spending Would Lead to Increase in Productivity
People returning to work force
Would Lose Jobs in Current Industries – Pain killers, etc.
Jobs would shift markets – More jobs in Rehab Institutes, etc.
Why Not QALYs for Economic Analysis?
Not enough data.
Only 3-5 more patients predicted to be treated in the next 3-5 years. Only 1 patient treated so far.
Not enough information to measure Quality Adjusted Life Years
This “cure” is not yet proven. This “cure” is promising but we are still looking for a cost-effective and viable solution to this disease that affects 1/50 Americans.
Sources
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/21/health/21para.html?_r=0
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Healthday/story?id=7392356
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/paralysis.html
http://jobaccess.gov.au/content/spinal-cord-injury
https://www.yahoo.com/health/cell-transplant-helps-paralyzed-man-walk-with-frame-100583947072.html
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/paralysis/Pages/Treatment.aspx