Chicago researchers study promising drug for spinal cord injuries [Video]

CHICAGO — There is a new hope for spinal injury patients.

It’s considered one of the holy grails in medicine and an effective treatment for patients with spinal cord injuries. Electrical stimulation and stem cell injections are among the areas of focus for scientists around the world and now Chicago researchers are hoping to add a new method to the mix.

Called NVG291, doctors at the Shirly Ryan Ability Lab are studying the novel drug.

Dr Monica Perez is the scientific chair of the arms and hands at Shirly Ryan.

“This is a first of its kind study for people with spinal cord injury,” she said. “We’re trying to restore as much ability as possible in patients. We target the ability to perform movements with the arms, grasp for example, or we target the ability to walk.”