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| Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #454 |
| Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury Research |
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| Requester: |
Suzanne Sayfie |
Organization: |
The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis |
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| Project Title: |
Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury Research |
Date Submitted |
1/11/2005 1:22:27 PM |
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| Sponsors: |
Villalobos |
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| Statewide Interest: |
| Research at Florida's research universities leads the nation in development of regeneration strategies and functional rehabilitation technologies, to reduce cost of care and improve quality of life of trauma survivors. |
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| Recipient: |
University of Miami School of Medicine |
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Contact: |
Suzanne Sayfie |
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1095 NW 14 Terrace |
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Contact Phone: |
(305) 243-6001 |
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Miami 33136 |
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Contact email: |
ssayfie@miami.edu |
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| Counties: |
{Statewide} |
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| Gov't Entity: |
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Private Organization (Profit/Not for Profit): |
Yes |
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| Project Description: |
| In order to achieve the goals of finding a cure for paralysis and improving quality of life for traumatic brain injury, Miam Project scientists are focusing their research in the following areas: Regeneration research - Until recently, it was assumed that when sections of the central nervous system were damaged, the cells could not regenerate. Thus, persons paralyzed by injuries to the spinal cord had no hope of improvement. However, scientists have proved that damaged spinal cord nerves can regrow, and that it may be possible one day for someone who is paralyzed to walk again. Neuroprotection research - Neuroprotection researchers are focusing on ays to prevent the damage that occurs during the hours and days after traumatic injury. By learning how inflammatory processes can both help and hinder chances for functional recovery, Miami Project scientists are striving to understand how to prevent those processes that diminish survival of nervous tissue. Rehabilitation research - Rehabilitation research is aimed at develolping and evaluating new techniques and devices designed to improve muscle strength and function in spinal cord injured persons. While these techniques do not cure the injury, devices like an electrical-stimulation arm crank system developed at The Miami Project, and the Parastep assisted-walking system tested here, have been shown to significantly enhance muscle strength and cardiovascular health in persons with chronic injuries. Quality of life - Quality of life issue such as pain, spasticity, autonomic function and male fertility are continued targets for investigative studies. Although not fully understood, abnormal pain sensations occur in as many as 70% of those spinal cord injured. Miami Project scientists are researching new cell therapies and testing pharmacological agents to treat pain. Another important quality of life issue concerns fertility problems in SCI men. Scientists have been extremely successful in developing new approaches allowing couples to have children. To date, more than 54 children have been born to our Male Fertility Program. |
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| Is this a project related to 2004 hurricane damage? |
No |
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| Measurable Outcome Anticipated: |
| Progress is reported annually to the state in a written report published in scientific journals and judged by scientific advisors and peers. New therapies are introduced for clinical use as they become established. |
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| Amount requested from the State for this project this year: |
$1,426,000 |
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| Total cost of the project: |
$15,781,812 |
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| Request has been made to fund: |
Operations |
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| What type of match exists for this project? |
Private |
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Cash Amount |
$6,366,807 |
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| Was this project previously funded by the state? |
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Yes |
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Fiscal Year: |
2004-2005 |
Amount: |
$1,426,000 |
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| Is future-year funding likely to be requested? |
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Yes |
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Amount: |
$1,426,000 |
To Fund: |
Operations |
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| Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request? |
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Yes |
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Agency |
Health, Department Of |
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| Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget? |
Yes |
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| Is there a documented need for this project? |
Yes |
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Documentation: |
Record of 2000 to 2500 new injuries each year costing Florida millions in health care costs |
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| Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)? |
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Yes |
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Hearing Body: |
Miami Dade County Legislative Delegation |
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Hearing Meeting Date: |
11/05/2004 |
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| Is this a water project as described in Section 403.885, Laws of Florida? |
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No |
