Dr. Michael Fehlings ^{Spine Program Portal}

The Spinal Program at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre is a Centre of Excellence at the University Health Network.

Our mission is to provide leading comprehensive medical care and treatment to our patients, and to accelerate the discovery of novel treatment strategies for disorders of the spine and for spinal cord injury through innovative clinical and basic science research.

On behalf of our team of dedicated allied health professionals, scientists, and students, it is my pleasure to introduce you to our world-class Spinal Program.

"The Spine Program emphasizes the bench-to-bedside approach that fosters translation of new scientific discovery into improved patient outcomes. Our basic science programs focus on the study of the molecular and cellular basis of Spine cord dysfunction following trauma and innovative treatments to reduce secondary damage and to repair and regenerate the injured Spine cord. Our clinical programs are aimed at advancing patient care and recovery by honing clinical protocols designed to minimize paralysis and permanent damage in persons with acute Spine cord injuries." - Dr. Michael Fehlings

Milestones and Innovation:

- First in Canada to employ image guidance for complex surgery (1995) - Discovered cells that can divide or multiply and migrate, promising the possibility of repair of injury/degeneration of Spine cord (1999) - First in Canada to use minimally invasive kyphoplasty to repair vertebral column fractures (Dr. Michael Fehlings, 2006) - First in Canada to have successfully used adult neural stem cells to regenerate myelin and restore significant mobility in rats (Dr. Michael Fehlings and Dr. Soheila Karimi, 2006)

Basic Research

The Krembil Neuroscience Centre Spine Program is closely linked with the Toronto Western Research Institute and the University of Toronto.

Basic science research includes investigations into: The basic science research component of the Spinal Program is aimed at advancing experimental bench-top discoveries through preclinical trials and initiating clinical studies to bring the effects of promising new therapies to benefit individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Our research laboratories are using the most innovative technologies to address the molecular and cellular basis of spinal cord injury and the development of repair and regeneration strategies for this form of neurotrauma. Our laboratory efforts are concentrated on elucidating the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury and the physiological mechanisms that permit regrowth of damaged tissue after trauma.

The scope of our basic science research includes investigations into:

- Ion channel disturbances
- Mitochondrial dysfunction
- Death receptor mediated apoptosis
- Gene profiling
- Endogenous spinal cord stem cells
- Stem cell transplantation
- Small molecule therapies
- Growth factor induced repair and regeneration
- Neuroprotective pharmacological compounds

Scope of work underway at the Spinal Program:

- Surgical Intervention
- Acute Care Patient
- Management
- Patient Education
- Spinal Cord Registry
- Imaging
- Pre-Clinical Pharmaceutical Trials
- Pathophysiology of Spinal Cord Injury
- Spinal Cord Regeneration
- Tissue Banking
- Clinical Trials

About the Spinal Program: The Spinal Program, a Centre of Excellence within University Health Network, is focused on providing and advancing integrated treatment strategies--and ultimately developing a cure--for paralysis resulting from spinal disorders and spinal cord injury.

Established in 1994 by Dr. Michael Fehlings, an internationally-recognized neurosurgeon and spinal cord injury scientist, the Spinal Program has amassed a broad spectrum of health professionals and scientists whose expertise in patient care and management and medical research is directly related to the advancement of acute and chronic clinical practice and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for spinal disorders and spinal cord injury.

Situated within the Krembil Neuroscience Centre at The Toronto Western Hospital, and with strong affiliations with the University of Toronto, our Spinal Program benefits from a broad knowledge and talent base attracted to a world-class neuroscience institution and Canada’s leading academic centre. Through the collaborative efforts of our dedicated health professionals and medical researchers, and with state of the art infrastructure provided by our academic and institutional affiliations, the Spinal Program is leading the world in clinical care practice for spinal cord patients and accelerating the discovery of cure strategies for paralysis.