The ChinaSCINetproject,led by Wise Young from Rutgers University in the United States, is about to extend the successful results in animal testing to volunteer patients in Taiwan, Hong Kong and China. The team has already proven that lithium and umbilical cord blood can be helpful in reconnecting the neural systems of animals with spinal cord injuries.

During a press conference in Taipei, Young explained that in the first stage, they wish to carry out separate experiments on lithium medicine and stem cells extracted from umbilical cord blood to determine the effects of each therapy; and in the second stage, they will combine both to understand the synergistic improvement on humans.

ChinaSCINet will choose 400 participants in the Greater China region, with 60 persons from Taiwan, Young added.

CMUH Deputy Superintendent Lin Shinn-zong noted that after joining the network, ChinaSCINet will offer complete training on spinal cord injury cliental experiment, while the hospital will provide an operational base and personnel needed for the network.

The combination will surely improve Taiwan’s medical service in related areas, Lin added.

ChinaSCINet was launched by University of Hong Kong (HKU) in 2004 with the financial support of the HKU SCI Fund, and is currently co-operated by HKU and Rutgers University. To date, there are more than 20 hospitals in Hong Kong and China participating in the network.

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