Gwen Graham: “I recognize the dedication of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, PVA, and their support of spinal cord injury research.…”

“I recognize the dedication of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, PVA, and their support of spinal cord injury research. Through their Spinal Cord Research Foundation, PVA support has aided researchers in making huge advances in this crucial field. Last Friday, in conjunction with PVA Awareness Week 2004, three spinal cord injury researchers detailed the contributions PVA has made toward improving treatment for and, hopefully, eventually ending paralysis. Stephen G. Waxman, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chairman of neurology at Yale University, discussed "Protecting and Repairing the Spinal Cord: Gifts from the Molecular Revolution." Among other topics, Dr. Waxman discussed how his lab had created chronic neuropathic pain in a rat, which the lab was then able to successfully "turn off" and "turn on" through chemical manipulations. Mindy L. Aisen, M.D., the deputy chief research and development officer and rehabilitation research and development service director for the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA, addressed "Spinal Cord Injury Research: The VA Perspective." She spoke about the large scope of VA research, which extends well beyond spinal cord dysfunction.”