Cell Transplant Helps Paralyzed Man Walk With Frame Aayush Mittal ECO

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  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.

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