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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #895 |
| Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury Research |
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| Requester: |
Suzanne Sayfie |
Organization: |
The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis |
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| Project Title: |
Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury Research |
Date Submitted |
12/28/2007 10:15:30 AM |
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| Sponsors: |
Villalobos |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| Researchers at Florida�s research universities lead the nation in the development of regeneration strategies and functional rehabilitation technologies to reduce cost of care and improve quality of life of trauma survivors. The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis employs 200 scientists, researchers, therapists, clinicians and support personnel and has a direct economic benefit to the State with its sixteen million dollar operating budget.
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| Recipient: |
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine |
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Contact: |
Suzanne Sayfie and Diana Berning |
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1095 NW 14 Terrace |
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Contact Phone: |
(305) 243-6001 |
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Miami 33136 |
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Contact email: |
s.sayfie@miami.edu |
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| Counties: |
Miami-Dade, {Statewide} |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| In order to achieve our goals of finding a cure for paralysis and improving quality of life for people with traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, Miami Project scientists are focusing their research in the following areas:
� Regeneration research. Until recently, it was assumed that when sections of the central nervous system (CNS) were damaged, the cells could not regenerate. Thus persons paralyzed by injuries to the brain and spinal cord had no hope of improvement. However, scientists have proven that damaged CNS nerves can regrow, and that it may be possible one day for someone who is paralyzed to walk again.
� Neuroprotection research. Neuroprotection researchers are focusing on ways to prevent the damage that occurs during the hours and days after traumatic injury. By learning how inflammatory processes can both help and hinder chances for functional recovery, Miami Project scientists are striving to understand how to prevent those processes that diminish survival of nervous tissue. Current clinical studies are evaluating the effect of hypothermia treatments to protect the nervous system in people shortly after injury.
� Rehabilitation research. Rehabilitation research is aimed at developing and evaluating new techniques and devices designed to improve muscle strength and function in spinal cord injured persons. While these techniques do not cure the injury, therapies such as body weight support gait training and new exercise technologies studied at The Miami Project have been shown to enhance muscle strength and cardiovascular health in persons with chronic injuries.
� Quality of Life. Quality of life issues such as pain, spasticity, autonomic function and male fertility are continued targets for investigative studies. Although not fully understood, abnormal pain sensations occur in as many as 70% of those spinal cord injured. Miami Project scientists are researching new cell therapies and testing pharmacological agents to treat pain. Another important quality of life issue concerns fertility in men with SCI. Scientists have been extremely successful in developing new approaches that enhance the options couples have for having children.
� Clinical Trial Initiative. In recent decades, progress in the field of neurobiology has led to new knowledge that suggests the regeneration of the central nervous system (CNS) might be an attainable goal. Several preclinical experimental strategies including the transplantation of cellular components combined with drug interventions have been shown to support repair of damaged nervous system tissue. The translation of these promising experimental therapies into human clinical trials is a present day expectation. The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis is working to develop the infrastructure and collaborations required to implement clinical trials.
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| Is this a project related to a federal or state declared disaster? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Progress is reported annually to the State in the form of a written report, published in scientific journals and judged by scientific advisors and peers. New therapies are introduced for clinical use as they become established. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$1,200,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$16,265,152 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Private |
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Cash Amount |
$8,233,381 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2007-2008 |
Amount: |
$1,200,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$1,200,000 |
To Fund: |
Operations |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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Yes |
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Agency |
Health, Department Of |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
Yes |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Documentation related to state�s costs of caring for those with spinal cord injuries |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Miami Dade Legislative Delegation-2006. Delegation no longer exists for public hearings. |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
