A paralyzed Japanese man stood on his feet after receiving an injection of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) in a clinical trial aimed at rehabilitation after spinal cord injuries. The procedures were carried out between 2021 and 2023, followed by the use of immunosuppressants to prevent rejection.
Although not all four participants in the trial showed significant improvement, one was able to stand independently and take several steps with support; another regained the ability to move his arms and legs.
There have already been several successful cases worldwide of partial recovery of the ability to walk after paralysis, thanks to olfactory cell transplants and neural implants. The study is still ongoing, but specialists are confident that the treatment is safe and will help paralyzed people return to normal life.
