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What to Say to Someone with a Spinal Cord Injury
When someone you care about experiences a spinal cord injury, finding the right words can feel impossible. You want to help, to comfort and to show you care — but you might worry about saying the wrong thing or unintentionally causing hurt.

Know this: your presence and genuine care matter more than perfect words. While spinal cord injuries bring significant challenges, they don’t define a person’s worth, potential, or capacity for meaningful relationships. With thoughtfulness and understanding, you can continue to be the supportive friend or family member your loved one needs.

Here’s how to navigate these important conversations with compassion and respect.

Show genuine encouragement

While it’s natural to want to offer encouragement, avoid statements that might sound patronising or hollow. Comments like “You’re so inspiring!” or “You’re handling this so well!” can feel uncomfortable, especially early in the adjustment process.

Instead, focus on genuine, specific observations:
- “It’s great to see you”
- “I’ve missed our conversations”
- “Your sense of humor always makes my day better”
Treat your loved one as the same person they’ve always been — because they are.

Avoid unhelpful platitudes

Well-meaning phrases like “Everything happens for a reason” or “The universe only gives you what you can handle” often do more harm than good. These statements can feel dismissive of very real pain and challenges.

Simple, heartfelt responses work better:
- “I’m so sorry this happened”
- “I love you and I’m here for you”
- “This really sucks, and I wish things were different”
Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is nothing at all. Just be present and listen.

Resist making comparisons

You might know someone who had a spinal cord injury and made a remarkable recovery, but every injury is unique. Comparisons, even positive ones, can create unrealistic expectations or make your loved one feel like they’re not “recovering correctly.”

Instead of saying “I know someone who had the same injury and they’re doing amazing now,” focus on being their supporter without conditions or timelines for their journey.

Practice active listening

One of the most valuable gifts you can offer is simply listening without trying to fix, minimise, or redirect their feelings. Your loved one may need to express frustration, sadness, or anger, and that’s completely normal and healthy.

Good listening means:
- Putting away distractions (phone, TV, etc.)
- Making eye contact when they’re speaking
- Asking follow-up questions that show you’re engaged
- Resisting the urge to immediately offer solutions or silver linings
Sometimes they just need someone to witness their experience without judgment.

Bring appropriate humor

Laughter can be incredibly healing, and many people with spinal cord injuries appreciate friends who can still joke around with them. The key word is “appropriate” — let your loved one set the tone for what kind of humor feels right.

If they make jokes about their situation, it’s usually okay to engage with that humor. If they seem to want to keep things serious, respect that boundary. When in doubt, stick to the kind of humor you shared before the injury.

Talk about life beyond the injury

While it’s important to acknowledge what your loved one is going through, they also need conversations about the world beyond their injury. Talk about:
- Current events and shared interests
- Mutual friends and family updates
- Movies, books, or shows you both enjoy
- Future plans and dreams (which may look different but are still valid)
These conversations help maintain their connection to the broader world and remind them that their identity extends far beyond their injury.

Be specific when offering help

Rather than making vague offers like “Let me know if you need anything,” try being specific about how you can help. Instead of asking “Do you want me to bring dinner tonight?” (which might get a polite “no”), try “I’m picking up Thai food on my way over — what’s your usual order?”

Specific offers make it easier for your loved one to accept help without feeling like a burden. Other examples:
- “I’m going to the supermarket this afternoon — what can I pick up for you?”
- “I have some time this week — would you like company at your next medical appointment?”
- “I’m doing laundry tomorrow — happy to throw in a load for you too?”
Stay connected over time

The initial period after a spinal cord injury often brings an outpouring of support, but that attention can fade as months and years pass. Your ongoing friendship and check-ins become even more valuable over time.

Recovery and adjustment is a long process, not a sprint. Your loved one will have good days and challenging days, victories and setbacks. Consistent friendship through all of it makes an enormous difference.

Set reminders to reach out regularly, remember important dates, and continue including them in social plans (with appropriate accommodations when needed).

Remember: hope is real

While you’re supporting your loved one through this challenging time, it’s worth knowing that the landscape of spinal cord injury treatment is changing rapidly. Australian researchers are making breakthrough advancements that are bringing new hope to the SCI community.

From innovative neurostimulation trials that are improving function, to groundbreaking research into nerve repair at the molecular level, science is making the unbelievable believable. Your loved one is living through a time of unprecedented hope for spinal cord injury recovery.

This doesn’t mean minimising current challenges or offering false promises. But it does mean that hope for better treatments and outcomes is grounded in real scientific progress.

The Bottom Line

Your presence, consistency, and genuine care matter more than having perfect words. Spinal cord injuries bring significant challenges, but they don’t eliminate the possibility for rich, meaningful relationships and fulfilling lives.

Be patient with yourself as you learn, be consistent in your friendship, and remember that the person you care about is still the same person they’ve always been — they’re just navigating new and very challenging circumstances.
November 8, 2025
10 Surprising Facts About the Spinal Cord: More Than Just a Nerve Highway

At SpinalCure, we’re dedicated to funding breakthrough research that will make a cure for spinal cord injury not just achievable but available right here in Australia. As we work relentlessly toward this goal, we want to share some fascinating insights about the remarkable structure at the centre of our mission.

Along with the brain, the spinal cord is an essential component of the body’s central nervous system (CNS). While many understand that the spinal column helps support the body and assists with cmovement, the spinal cord itself often remains a bit more of a mystery.

Here are 10 surprising facts about the spinal cord that highlight why our work is so important:

1. It’s your nervous system’s headquarters

Think of your spinal cord as part of the command centre for your body’s functions. It connects with 31 pairs of nerve bundles, both sensory and motor, linking your brain to every part of your body. This incredible network is what makes feeling, movement, and a multitude of other bodily functions, possible.

2. It controls both voluntary and involuntary movements

The spinal cord is responsible for the movements you consciously control, like lifting your hand or making a fist. At the same time, it manages involuntary functions essential for life, such as breathing and maintaining your heartbeat.

3. It’s a conductor of vital signals

The simple act of walking requires your spinal cord to carry precise signals to your legs to extend, stand, and coordinate complex movements. This remarkable coordination happens within milliseconds, often without conscious thought.

4. An injury can disrupt these life-essential signals

When a spinal cord injury occurs, it can affect the transmission of signals between nerve cells and different parts of the body. This disruption is what leads to paralysis and loss of sensation below the injury site.

5. It can’t repair itself — but science is changing that

Unlike other tissues in your body, the spinal cord cannot naturally regenerate and heal effectively on its own. This is precisely why SpinalCure’s research into innovative therapies is so crucial for people living with spinal cord injuries.

6. It ends in a “Horse’s Tail”

The end of the spinal cord is called cauda equina (Latin for “horse’s tail“) due to its distinctive appearance. Located in the upper portion of the lumbar region, the nerve fibres here send vital signals to your lower limbs and pelvic region.

7. It’s highly protected, but still vulnerable

Your vertebral column provides a protective shield around your spinal cord. Within this bony armour lies the spinal canal, a cavity specifically designed to house and safeguard the spinal cord. Despite this protection, traumatic injuries can still occur.

8. It’s divided into 31 segments

The spinal cord is organised into distinct segments: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. Each is responsible for different regions of your body. This complex organisation is what allows for such precise control over movement and sensation.

9. It grows until you’re five years old

Your spinal cord develops alongside your body until you reach approximately five years of age. After that, your body continues to grow around it, which is why spinal cord injuries can have such devastating effects at any age.

10. It can function independently from the brain

The spinal cord doesn’t simply relay information from your brain. In some cases, it can process information and send signals to muscles on its own through what are called spinal reflexes — fascinating evidence of its remarkable complexity.

Making the unbelievable, believable

At SpinalCure Australia, we’re funding groundbreaking research that challenges old assumptions about spinal cord injuries. Recent scientific advancements have transformed what was once considered impossible into a tangible reality.

Through innovations like epidural neurostimulation, we’re seeing people who were told they would never stand again taking their first steps. People who lost control of basic bodily functions are regaining independence and dignity.

Join us on this journey. Together, we can make the unbelievable believable, ensuring that every Australian with a spinal cord injury has access to the life-changing treatments they deserve.

November 6, 2025
Test – Essential Advice for New Caregivers
Allow yourself to grieve

Give yourself permission to grieve, for the life you’d envisioned for your loved one and the dreams you had for yourself. Feel whatever emotions arise: anger, sadness, fear, hope. These feelings are all valid and necessary.

Process these emotions in whatever way feels right — whether that’s writing, crying in the shower, talking to a professional psychologist or counselor, or finding a private place to release your frustration. Grief isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a natural response to profound change.

“I was literally walking around one day and the next day I’m in a wheelchair.”

Create a help system that works

When people ask “How can I help?” be ready with a specific list of tasks you’re comfortable accepting assistance with. This might include:
- Grocery shopping or meal preparation
- Driving to appointments
- Helping with household tasks
- Spending time with other family members
- Research assistance for equipment or resources
Having a prepared list makes it easier for others to help meaningfully while respecting your boundaries. And remember: you don’t have to do it all yourself. Share the load.

Protect your whole family

If you have other children or family members, ask friends and visitors to check in on everyone – not just the person with the injury. A simple reframe like “How are the kids doing? How are you holding up? And how is [injured family member]?” ensures everyone feels seen and valued.

This approach also helps you model healthy boundaries and shows that the whole family’s wellbeing matters.

Schedule sacred time

Make intentional dates with your partner, children, or other important people in your life — time that’s completely separate from caregiving responsibilities. During these moments, focus entirely on that relationship.

This might be as simple as sharing tea and conversation, but it’s essential for maintaining the relationships that sustain you. Let your family know this time is protected and important for everyone’s wellbeing.

Start self-care immediately

Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to begin caring for yourself. Build daily practices now that help you recharge and maintain your identity outside of caregiving.

Explain to your loved one that taking care of yourself makes you a better caregiver and ask for their support in protecting this time. Whether it’s a walk to a cafe, spending time in nature, seeing friends, or picking up a hobby, these moments are investments in your long-term ability to provide care.

Build community connections

Seek out both online and in-person communities, including connections beyond the spinal cord injury world. This broader network provides different perspectives, resources, and a reminder that you’re part of a larger community.

The isolation that caregiving can create makes these connections even more vital for maintaining perspective and support.

Practice self-compassion

Be gentle with yourself as you navigate this massive life change. You’re learning as you go, and you won’t get everything right immediately — and that’s perfectly normal.

Remember that you have an identity beyond being a caregiver. Taking time to rediscover or develop other aspects of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary for your wellbeing and effectiveness as a caregiver.

Find humor

Dark humor can be a lifesaver when dealing with difficult situations. Laughter doesn’t minimise the seriousness of your circumstances; it provides relief and perspective that will help you keep going.

Embrace forgiveness

Practice forgiveness, both of yourself and others. You may need to forgive yourself for not knowing how to handle certain situations, for feeling overwhelmed, or for moments when you weren’t at your best.

This forgiveness frees you to focus on growth and positive change rather than getting stuck in guilt or resentment. It’s one of the most powerful tools for moving forward with strength and grace.

You’re not alone

The caregiving journey can feel isolating, but remember that thousands of Australians are walking similar paths. There are resources, support groups, and communities of people who understand exactly what you’re experiencing.

Your dedication to learning how to provide the best possible care shows the depth of your love and commitment. That care and support will be a source of strength for both of you for years to come.

Together, you’re proving that spinal cord injury changes circumstances, but it doesn’t change the power of human connection, love, and determination. And right now, that matters more than ever.
October 1, 2025
Essential Advice for New Caregivers
Allow yourself to grieve

Give yourself permission to grieve, for the life you’d envisioned for your loved one and the dreams you had for yourself. Feel whatever emotions arise: anger, sadness, fear, hope. These feelings are all valid and necessary.

Process these emotions in whatever way feels right — whether that’s writing, crying in the shower, talking to a professional psychologist or counselor, or finding a private place to release your frustration. Grief isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a natural response to profound change.

Create a help system that works

When people ask “How can I help?” be ready with a specific list of tasks you’re comfortable accepting assistance with. This might include:
- Grocery shopping or meal preparation
- Driving to appointments
- Helping with household tasks
- Spending time with other family members
- Research assistance for equipment or resources
Having a prepared list makes it easier for others to help meaningfully while respecting your boundaries. And remember: you don’t have to do it all yourself. Share the load.

Protect your whole family

If you have other children or family members, ask friends and visitors to check in on everyone – not just the person with the injury. A simple reframe like “How are the kids doing? How are you holding up? And how is [injured family member]?” ensures everyone feels seen and valued.

This approach also helps you model healthy boundaries and shows that the whole family’s wellbeing matters.

Schedule sacred time

Make intentional dates with your partner, children, or other important people in your life — time that’s completely separate from caregiving responsibilities. During these moments, focus entirely on that relationship.

This might be as simple as sharing tea and conversation, but it’s essential for maintaining the relationships that sustain you. Let your family know this time is protected and important for everyone’s wellbeing.

Start self-care immediately

Don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to begin caring for yourself. Build daily practices now that help you recharge and maintain your identity outside of caregiving.

Explain to your loved one that taking care of yourself makes you a better caregiver and ask for their support in protecting this time. Whether it’s a walk to a cafe, spending time in nature, seeing friends, or picking up a hobby, these moments are investments in your long-term ability to provide care.

Build community connections

Seek out both online and in-person communities, including connections beyond the spinal cord injury world. This broader network provides different perspectives, resources, and a reminder that you’re part of a larger community.

The isolation that caregiving can create makes these connections even more vital for maintaining perspective and support.

Practice self-compassion

Be gentle with yourself as you navigate this massive life change. You’re learning as you go, and you won’t get everything right immediately — and that’s perfectly normal.

Remember that you have an identity beyond being a caregiver. Taking time to rediscover or develop other aspects of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary for your wellbeing and effectiveness as a caregiver.

Find humor

Dark humor can be a lifesaver when dealing with difficult situations. Laughter doesn’t minimise the seriousness of your circumstances; it provides relief and perspective that will help you keep going.

Embrace forgiveness

Practice forgiveness, both of yourself and others. You may need to forgive yourself for not knowing how to handle certain situations, for feeling overwhelmed, or for moments when you weren’t at your best.

This forgiveness frees you to focus on growth and positive change rather than getting stuck in guilt or resentment. It’s one of the most powerful tools for moving forward with strength and grace.

You’re not alone

The caregiving journey can feel isolating, but remember that thousands of Australians are walking similar paths. There are resources, support groups, and communities of people who understand exactly what you’re experiencing.

Your dedication to learning how to provide the best possible care shows the depth of your love and commitment. That care and support will be a source of strength for both of you for years to come.

Together, you’re proving that spinal cord injury changes circumstances, but it doesn’t change the power of human connection, love, and determination. And right now, that matters more than ever.
June 26, 2025
Announcing the Forward Fellowship: Fuelling Game-Changing Research

We are thrilled to announce, in partnership with Forward Ability Support, the awarding of the inaugural Forward Fellowship — a prestigious three-year appointment designed to fast-track bold, high-impact research into spinal cord injury.

Following a national search and a rigorous review by our Scientific Advisory Panel, we identified an exceptional early-to-mid career researcher with a deeply original and innovative research vision: Dr Laura Grice at the University of Queensland.

Dr. Laura Grice discusses her research with Professor Marc Ruitenberg.

Mapping the unknown — a new project to create a ‘Google Maps’ of the spinal cord

With a background in genetics and computational biology, a typical day sees Dr. Laura Grice coding in front of a computer, sifting through data that may hold the answer to a cure for spinal cord injuries.

“I’ll be coding and it feels a bit like solving a puzzle. You’re trying to get the pieces together, and you might come up with a new idea for how to visualise the data or to see something new that you couldn’t before – that’s very rewarding,” she says.

“This data is so big that you don’t really know what it says until you come up with a way to visualise it. But then what’s really nice is the collaboration, whether that’s working together with our small team in the lab meeting or when I have the chance to meet Duncan Wallace and the SpinalCure team. It makes me step back and remind myself why I do this work.”

Dr Laura Grice

When Dr. Grice looks at a spinal cord injury, she doesn’t just see damaged tissue, she sees complex cellular interactions that hold the keys to recovery.

“We’re creating a bit of a Google Maps of exactly what’s happening in the spinal cord after injury,” explains Dr. Grice. “We can see which cells are where, what they’re doing, and how they’re working together.”

The lab Dr. Grice is part of uses cutting-edge technologies to study spinal cord injuries in painstaking detail. Single cell RNA sequencing reveals what each individual cell is doing, while spatial transcriptomics maps exactly where cells are located within the injury.

This combination creates a comprehensive picture of the complex immune response after injury, and the team is working to identify exactly which cells are causing harmful inflammation — which exacerbates the severity of the damage — and which cells are promoting healing.

Personalised medicine for every unique injury

Dr. Grice’s research recognises no two spinal cord injuries are identical. There are significant differences between injuries at different spinal levels, with high-level injuries showing completely different scarring patterns than lower ones.

“There’s such a big difference between injuries at different locations”,” notes Dr. Grice. “We need to understand these differences to develop targeted treatments for each type of injury.”

Understanding these differences is transforming how we approach our search for treatment. By identifying which immune cells promote healing and which cause harmful inflammation, the ultimate goal is for researchers to develop precisely targeted therapies.

Dr. Grice envisions a promising future where treatments are tailored to each patient’s specific injury. Her mapping project is creating the foundation for this personalised medicine approach by documenting exactly how injuries at different spinal levels respond.

“Ultimately every spinal cord injury is different, and so we’re not going to be able to just have a single, one size fits all approach to this,” Dr. Grice explains. “We need to start incorporating injury level as a consideration into our experiments more routinely. We need to understand this so we can design our interventions more smartly, more tailored to what we’re actually seeing in the cord.”

June 16, 2025
You’ve got to have FAITH … “Fusion of Axons Innovative THerapy”

What if the key to repairing damaged spinal cords was hidden inside a tiny, microscopic worm?

Dr. Ramon Martinez-Marmol is exploring an extraordinary discovery: these resilient creatures can do something humans cannot — repair their own severed neurons.

“These tiny champions have this extraordinary ability to repair their neurons,” explains Dr. Martinez-Marmol. “When we cut their neurons, the animals fuse them back together and they start responding again.”

From one solution to hundreds of possibilities

C.Elegans, just 1mm long can repair its severed neurons

The implications could be revolutionary. Dr. Martinez-Marmol’s team at The Queensland Brain Institute, UQ, isn’t just studying worms, but expanding their search for similar repair mechanisms in other organisms to create tools that could one day help human neurons reconnect after injury.

“We’re extracting this machinery from worms, viruses, and plants to create useful tools that can repair neurons in humans,” says Dr. Martinez-Marmol. “This moves us from one potential solution to hundreds of different possibilities.”

The project aims to develop molecular “fusogens” — specialised proteins that can help reconnect severed neurons. Similar to how CRISPR gene-editing technology was adapted from bacterial immune systems, revolutionising genetic research, these fusogens could become a new technology platform for treating spinal cord injuries.

“I see this as providing an initial ‘glue’ that helps individual neurons reconnect at the molecular level,” Dr. Martinez-Marmol explains, as he interlaces fingers on both hands as a visual reference. “This could give damaged nerves a foundation to regrow and reconnect.”

Building a scientific community for spinal cord research

This groundbreaking research focuses on the critical acute phase of spinal cord injuries, when intervention can preserve function and prevent further damage. We now know that the sooner treatment is administered after injury, the better the potential outcome.

Working alongside treatments like neurostimulation, these molecular fusion technologies could become part of a comprehensive approach to spinal cord injury recovery, helping to preserve and restore neural connections that control movement, sensation, and vital functions.

“Researching spinal cord injuries is still in its infancy in Australia,” explains Dr. Martinez-Marmol.

Dr. Martinez-Marmol’s project is not just about scientific discovery, it’s about building a scientific community dedicated to spinal cord injury research. The project is creating a foundation that will attract more scientists, inspire collaboration, and accelerate progress toward clinical trials.

“I want to base my work on solid research discoveries so that I can inspire clinicians, patients and their families to start the translation of this research to the clinic. There is still much to do to create that critical number of professionals necessary to attract more people to this field, to bring brighter minds to work together to find a cure.”

Ramon is the well-deserved recipient of the 2025 I.Peter Farrell SpinalCure Fellowship. Find out more.

May 30, 2025
Introducing our 2025 I. Peter Farrell SpinalCure Fellow

We are proud to announce the recipient of the prestigious 2025 I. Peter Farrell SpinalCure Fellowship: Dr. Ramon Martinez-Marmol, a neuroscientist whose work is reshaping what is possible in the field of nerve repair.

This AUD$1.5 million, five-year Fellowship represents a major investment in one of the brightest minds in neuroscience today—and in the future of people living with spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries.

Ramon’s Fellowship project, Fusion of Axons Innovative THerapy (FAITH), seeks to do what no current therapy can: physically rejoin severed spinal cord nerves after injury using a molecular “glue” known as a fusogen. These naturally occurring proteins have the potential to reconnect axons, restore function, and change the trajectory of nerve injury recovery.

Nature’s own solution: learning from a tiny worm

What makes Ramon’s approach truly unique is his inspiration: a tiny nematode worm called Caenorhabditis elegans, which can spontaneously repair its spinal cord after injury. When its neurons are severed, this worm uses a molecule called a fusogen to fuse the broken ends back together—restoring function and continuity. Imagine superglue for nerves. Ramon’s vision is to bring this astonishing natural mechanism into the realm of human health.

A researcher driven by purpose

Ramon embodies everything this Fellowship stands for: deep scientific insight, a relentless drive for discovery and an unshakeable commitment to improving human life. His research vision is bold and original, grounded in deep expertise and delivered with clarity and purpose.

This prestigious Fellowship is very generously supported by Caroline Farrell whose late husband Peter had lived with a spinal-cord injury. Caroline had been a researcher herself and understands how difficult it is for a dedicated scientist to get sufficient funding to allow them to focus on the ideas that may eventually lead to a cure.

Caroline Farrell with Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol outside The Queensland Brain Institute.

Ramon explains his research to Caroline Farrell, the generous funder of the Fellowship.

C.Elegans, the worm with the seemingly magical abilities.

Find out more about Dr. Martinez-Marmol’s research here.

May 30, 2025
Lauren Parker OAM joins SpinalCure as an Ambassador
“If I had to have my accident for a reason, I hope that I inspire just one person. That would make it all worth it.”

Lauren Parker’s story is one of resilience, courage, and unbreakable spirit. A world-class para-athlete and one of Australia’s most decorated sportspeople, she has redefined what it means to overcome adversity.

In 2017, Lauren’s life changed in an instant. A training ride for her next Ironman race ended in a catastrophic accident, leaving her paralysed from the waist down. In that moment, everything she had worked for—years of training, competition, and dreams of winning—was suddenly out of reach.

But instead of letting that moment define her, Lauren chose to fight.

Just 11 months later, she returned to competitive sport as a para-triathlete and para-cyclist. In her first major international event, she won a Commonwealth Games Bronze medal—the first of many triumphs on the world stage.

A champion in every sense

Lauren’s relentless determination has seen her rise to the top of her sport, winning multiple world championships, Paralympic medals, and national sporting honours, including:
- 2024 Australian Paralympian of the Year and Female Paralympian of the Year
- Flag bearer at the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Paralympics
- AIS Sport Performance Awards – Female Para-Athlete of the Year and Performance of the Year
- New South Wales Institute of Sport Ian Thorpe AM Outstanding Achievement Award
- 2025 Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to sport.
Despite these achievements, Lauren’s journey has been anything but easy. She lives with severe neuropathic pain, an invisible battle she fights every single day. Yet, through every setback, she continues to push forward—proving that strength is not just about physical endurance, but the will to keep going.

“Every day, I push through pain that most people will never experience. But I refuse to let my injury define me. I want to show others that life after a spinal cord injury is still full of possibilities—and that we must never stop fighting for progress.” – Lauren Parker

Joining SpinalCure

Lauren understands firsthand what it means to live with a spinal cord injury—the struggles, the isolation, and the hope for something better. Through her role as a SpinalCure ambassador, she is using her story to inspire, advocate, and drive awareness for spinal cord injury research.

We are honoured to have Lauren Parker join SpinalCure as an ambassador. Her strength, determination, and unwavering belief in what’s possible will help shine a light on the urgent need for breakthroughs in spinal cord injury research.

Find out more about Lauren: laurenparkerathlete.com
March 6, 2025
Promising motor neurone disease clinical trial results strengthen SCI treatment potential

What if a treatment developed for spinal cord injury (SCI) could also help treat another devastating neurological disorder? This may be a possibility thanks to promising results from a recent clinical trial showing that NUN-004 may be effective in slowing the progression of motor neurone disease (MND). Apart from benefitting MND patients, this sets the stage for NUN-004 to be further tested as a treatment for other closely related conditions, including SCI.

The trial, which was published in Clinical Drug Investigations, was conducted by NuNerve, a company formed by the University of Queensland’s Queensland Brain Institute (QBI). It was led by SpinalCure Director and Scientific Chair Emeritus Professor Perry Bartlett from QBI and Professor Andrew Boyd from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI). The initial development of NUN-004 was funded by SpinalCure as a treatment for SCI, thanks to a bequest from the late Lisa Palmer – a courageous young woman who was left a quadriplegic after a car accident and later died of cancer at just 29 years old.

“Lisa Palmer’s legacy will fuel the quest for a cure; her contribution may one day prove to be priceless.” said Prof John Hay AC, then Vice-Chancellor of UQ, on accepting the funding. With the results of this trial his prediction is becoming a reality.

NUN-004 is a novel therapeutic based on blocking the action of EphA4, a protein which acts like a traffic signal for cells in the nervous system. According to Professor Bartlett, the aim of the research with MND was to explore if this blocking action could preserve motor neurons, potentially improving motor function and halting the disease. The results of the trial, which tested NUN-004 on eight people with MND and 20 healthy volunteers over a six month period, indicated just that.

“Not only did we see signs of the disease stabilising in the MND patients but, importantly, they gave positive anecdotal feedback on improved gross and fine motor movement,” he explained.

Leveraging similarities between SCI & MND

There are several parallels between SCI and MND, creating strong synergies for an integrated approach to research. With an SCI, the spinal cord consists of a complex extension of the central nervous system that acts as a telecommunications system between brain and body. When this is injured or broken the result is a loss of movement (either paraplegia or quadriplegia). It also deprives one of sensations like pleasure, touch and pressure, the control of the bladder and bowel and more. Comparatively, MND affects the nerves known as motor neurons. These are found in the brain and spinal cord and help tell the body’s muscles what to do. Consequently, MND impacts movement and can result in a wide range of symptoms including muscle weakness, cramps, spasms and pain.

Further SCI focus on the horizon

Emeritus Professor Perry Bartlett

Professor Bartlett’s NUN-004 research began over 25 years ago, with original findings demonstrating its importance in regulating spinal cord motor neuron development and promoting the regeneration of neuronal connections following an SCI. The latest results further expand the possibilities for NUN-004’s application in the SCI field, paving the way for a new treatment option to be developed in the future.

“Now that it has been shown to be safe in humans, the plan is to fund and develop a clinical strategy to investigate NUN-004’s potential to promote neuronal reconnection in patients with SCI,” concluded Professor Bartlett.

January 27, 2025
Apples for apples, or not? New study evaluates neurostimulation methods for research

One element of non-invasive neurostimulation treatments that has delayed their translation to general use has been the understanding that specialised stimulators are required. Our Project Spark studies have been testing this assumption by analysing which type of neurostimulation therapy may be more effective. This could reveal vital clues to help establish it as a treatment option and, ultimately, advance a cure for spinal cord injury (SCI).

Our partners at the Spinal Cord Injury Research Centre (SCIRC) at NeuRA are one step closer to determining this thanks to the results of their study published recently in The Journal of Physiology comparing the two types of electrical stimulation used in Project Spark – carrier-frequency stimulation and conventional pulsed stimulation. Carrier-frequency stimulation requires specialised equipment (such as the Digitimer DS8R Stimulator used in our trials) whilst pulsed stimulation can be delivered by off the shelf TENS machines which are more widely available and at a much lower cost. The recently completed eWALK trial evaluated the high frequency carrier-wave stimulation whereas the eWALK 2 clinical trial uses a conventional stimulation approach. Our Get a Grip trial is testing both kinds.

The new study compared the two modalities on 12 participants to measure impacts on pain tolerance and the thresholds for activation of sensory and motor axons, two types of nerve fibres that play crucial roles in the functioning of the nervous system.

Whilst this is a new and emerging area of research that requires further exploration, the results pointed to conventional stimulation being equally as good as the carrier-frequency type. Particularly in terms of pain measurement because it required lower levels of stimulation to achieve the desired result.

According to Professor Jane Butler, the results turned around earlier research hypotheses showing that the waveforms used in carrier-frequency stimulation resulted in less pain than conventional stimulation. Another highlight finding revealed that carrier-frequency waveforms were less effective at triggering sensory and motor nerve responses when compared to conventional stimulation.

“Given the small sample size, the jury is still out in terms of which type of stimulation is less painful and more effective in activating the muscles we need to pinpoint and trigger, paving the way for further research in this area,” said Professor Butler. “However, knowing what we know now does create more opportunities for conventional stimulation devices to be used in the future. The results that we see from Get a Grip and eWALK 2 will help to further validate this.”

Stay tuned for further updates.

January 24, 2025
2024 in Review

Our 30th anniversary year has been one of the most exciting ever in our mission to cure spinal cord injury (SCI). While progress towards a cure sometimes seems slow as is often the case with medical research, especially when done properly, major milestones on that journey were achieved this year.

Project Spark’s first neurostimulation clinical trial, eWALK1 successfully completed treatments of all 50 volunteers. Congratulations to the team of scientists at NeuRA and especially to the volunteers who gave up 12 weeks of their time to participate. This is the world’s first rigorous gold standard test of neurostimulation and a major milestone towards plans to develop first therapies for Australians with SCI. We eagerly anticipate the results, due for release in the second half of 2025.

Pleasingly, another major milestone was achieved with the expansion of Project Spark into the community. Two additional neurostimulation clinical trials, Get a Grip and eWALK2, commenced and five new sites opened (Sydney, Canberra, NZ and Adelaide) bringing the total number of participants treated under Project Spark so far to 80. Setting up a new trial site involves all sorts of logistical arrangements, as well as training, equipment purchases, fundraising and recruitment drives. A huge thank you to our partners at Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and NeuroMoves for their hard work helping to make this happen.

*3 trial sites in Sydney, Perth site to launch early 2025 along with additional Australian sites

Professor Marc Ruitenberg at UQ, a world leader in the inflammatory response after SCI (another promising avenue to treat SCI), published his paper about the immune system’s initial response to injury. Marc and his team give unprecedented insight into how SCI impacts immunity (and not just feeling and function). The next stage of the research will look for ways to counteract this so that newly injured people suffer fewer infectious complications, which they are at higher risk of.

SpinalCure rolled out its early to mid-career fellowship program and after reviewing many competitive applications, our Scientific Panel decided on two exceptional recipients each working on important aspects of the cure puzzle. Stay tuned to hear about these exciting post doctorates and their work in the new year.

The 2024 Annual David Prast Award, which is granted in partnership with SCIA, was given to Felicity Bermingham, a NeuroMove’s exercise physiologist. This allowed her to travel across North America learning some of the very latest rehabilitation techniques for SCI.

We also organised our first Australian SCI Cure Summit, hosted over two days at NeuRA. This summit brought SpinalCure supported cure focused scientists together to talk about their research findings and discuss collaboration. Some interesting ideas came out of the Summit and I can’t wait to share them with you in the new year once they are more developed.

IN TERMS OF WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2025:

We will continue to work with the NeuRA and NeuroMoves teams to open more Project Spark trial sites across Australia providing more people an opportunity to try neurostimulation. Excitingly, Perth, Sargood on Collaroy, two country NSW and additional Sydney sites are scheduled to open;

our support for Prof Ruitenberg and his team will continue as they expand our knowledge and treatment options for acute injuries; and

we are in the planning stages of several other truly exciting areas of research, both clinical and basic, which I can’t wait to tell you about over the coming year.

With strong, albeit modest cure foundations in place, we are turning our minds to the future of SCI cure research in Australia and we are developing Australia’s first Roadmap to a Cure in consultation with stakeholders. If we can work together around a shared vision and agreed set of priorities we can accelerate the research and help facilitate the pathway to first approved treatments. The Roadmap will launch in 2025.

All of the progress that we’ve made this year simply would not have been possible without the support of our donors, partners, researchers, ambassadors, volunteers, trial participants, their families and each and every one of you who make up our SpinalCure community.

Something that I find particularly motivating are the many positive stories coming from Project Spark participants and the genuine collaborative effort by community, researcher, advocate, clinician and funder. I would like to thank the Neilson Foundation, CatWalk NZ, Hearts & Minds, Senator Linda Reynolds, Caroline Farrell as well as all our other donors and supporters. A huge thank you to you all.

On behalf of the SpinalCure team, I wish you a happy and safe festive season and look forward to sharing more exciting updates with you in 2025.

Kathryn Borkovic – CEO, SpinalCure Australia

December 15, 2024
Get a Grip Takes The World Stage with New Zealand Launch

Our Get a Grip clinical trial has officially gone global after opening its first international trial site at Rope Neuro Rehabilitation in New Zealand at the end of October – giving spinal injured New Zealanders the opportunity to participate in the ground-breaking trial.

Get a Grip is a community-based exercise trial designed for individuals with complete or incomplete quadriplegia. It involves targeted breathing training, as well as hand and arm exercises with the use of spinal cord electrical stimulation — all aimed at enhancing respiratory and upper limb function. The study is a vital part of our neurostimulation research collaborative, Project Spark, in partnership with Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) , The CatWalk Trust, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and Forward Ability Support. All Project Spark clinical trials including Get a Grip use non-invasive neurostimulation via electrodes placed onto the skin. This enhances the function of the spinal cord by sending electrical pulses into nerves around the injury, facilitating communication between brain and body through surviving neural pathways.

Although its population is much smaller in comparison to neighbouring Australia, New Zealand has one of the highest rates of spinal cord injury (SCI) in the western world with over 200 new SCIs reported each year – resulting in significant rehabilitation and hospital costs. In light of these statistics, Julie Rope, Senior Physiotherapist and Director at Rope Neuro Rehabilitation said that Get a Grip was a welcome addition to the SCI community.

“It’s great to have Get a Grip available to our clients here at Rope Neuro Rehabilitation,” she said. “It really offers them the best of two worlds – giving them access to an intensive rehabilitation program while also seeking to solve a research question to determine the therapeutic benefits of neurostimulation not only from a hand function perspective, but respiratory as well,” she added.

With one participant having completed the trial in late November, Julie said that they have a further two lined up to start early in 2025 and hopes to have a total of five completed by mid next year. Rope Neuro Rehabilitation also has plans to start recruiting participants for eWALK2 in 2025, another SCI clinical trial that forms part of the Project Spark collaboration.

“It’s very early days but we’re already seeing positive results,” continued Julie. “Our first Get a Grip participant, a 25 year old who makes wooden boards for a living, experienced good hand function benefits. In particular, his ability to release an item with his hand improved greatly. This was originally rated a score of three at the start of the trial but went up to a seven at the end, which was really pleasing to see,” she explained.

“From a clinical point of view, it’s also been great to have the opportunity to utilise spinal stimulation modality and for all of our therapists, including our junior staff, to have exposure to it and learn how to apply it in a real-world setting.”

From left: Rope Neuro Rehab Director, Julie Rope, and The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust CEO, Tom Brady are pictured with NeuRA’s Dr Claire Bowell-Ruys and Dr Terry Trinh.

According to Dr Boswell-Ruys, Senior Research Fellow at NeuRA’s Spinal Cord Injury Research Centre (SCIRC), who led the training for Rope’s team of therapists alongside Research Fellow Dr Terry Trinh, Get a Grip’s expansion to New Zealand marks a significant milestone in Project Spark’s journey.

“The beauty of Get a Grip is the design of the trial, which essentially gives the SCI community greater access to participate,” explained Dr Boswell-Ruys. “A key part of that has been setting up satellite trial sites in collaboration with community-based rehabilitation providers so it has been great to be able to expand the net further, to include New Zealand and work with the team at Rope Neuro Rehabilitation, to make this happen,” she added. “We are excited to work with Rope’s clinical therapists and the community in New Zealand to gather more valuable data that will help us understand the potential that neurostimulation has as a possible therapy for SCI.”

Watch this space as we prepare to launch more Project Spark clinical trial sites in Perth, Sydney and regional NSW in 2025.

December 9, 2024