A Review of Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury: Large Animal Models and the Frontier in Humans

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature of spinal cord injury and stem cell therapy for large animal models and incorporate those results into an understanding of stem cell therapy for human cord injury. METHODS: Review of the literature. RESULTS: Eleven canine studies were identified and 3 sub-human primate studies were identified showing variable results. CONCLUSIONS: Stem cell therapy is a promising therapeutic option for patients with spinal cord injury; however, the technology has many un-answered questions and further research is needed.