September 2002
A Utah doctor who was paralyzed in a trampoline accident three years ago is recommending the
formation of a comprehensive neuroscience center to explore NEW theories in nerve stimulation and
regeneration.
Neurologists across the country watched with great interest last month as Christopher Reeve
announced in a news conference he was experiencing sensation - even though he's been paralyzed
for years. The former Superman star has been participating in research, pushing his boundaries with
aggressive therapy. Neurologists admit there's evidence now of what appears to be some nerve
regeneration.
In Salt Lake City, University of Utah physician Dr. Dale Hull has been pushing the envelope too,
believing if he kept sending signals even to unresponsive nerves - something might happen.
With the help of his therapist, he works out daily on a special underwater treadmill.
"My belief was If I kept sending the signals, they're going to get through someway, somehow. There
just has to be too much redundancy in the nervous system. We've evolved too far to say this is it."
In some ways, Hull's experience mirrors what Reeve is talking about. "It validates experiences I've
had because I reached that point where I said I don't believe there's a plateau."
After his accident three years ago, Hull, at first, couldn't feel anything from the neck down. While his
injuries were not as severe as Reeve's, doctors still can't believe his recovery - especially watching him
now as he moves about the workplace without the aid of crutches, not even a cane!
Not all paralysis victims have this kind of recovery but it happens enough that Hull and others are
pushing for the development of a neuroscience research center at the University of Utah.
"We need a place which combines neurology, neurosurgery, rehab, genetics, exercise physiology
and other related disciplines under one umbrella."
Scientists simply need to understand more about the intricacies of the nervous system, he says,
and how it responds to signals.
"Had I stopped at what was considered the defined one year plateau, I wouldn't be moving about
like I am today."
Regeneration, restimulation, renewal or whatever. Hull says we don't yet fully know what's going
on.
"Let's take time to study all the possibilities - but do it the right way."
