New York Lifts Funding Cap for Spinal Cord Injury Research

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Since 1988 New York has contributed funds toward spinal cord injury research using money from a surcharge collected on moving traffic violations. Funding aims to develop cures for spinal cord injury as well as modalities to help improve bladder and bowel management for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Last month, a cap on funds allocated for this purpose was lifted, releasing significant funding available for spinal cord injury research.

Spinal Cord Injury Research Funded by Traffic Tickets

Back in 1988, established in part through the advocacy of Christopher Reeve, New York’s Spinal Cord Injury Research Program was founded, funded by a surcharge on moving traffic violations. 

The program provides funding via research grants to medical schools in New York such as Burke Medical Research Institute, Columbia University, and Mount Sinai Medical Center, and seeks to support neurological spinal cord injury scientific research projects from leading researchers within New York State to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

Lifting the Limit on Funds for Spinal Cord Injury Research

A statutory limit of $8.5 million had capped the funds available for research, although the State raises far in excess of this cap annually from the traffic violation surcharge. 

Now, thanks to the advocacy efforts of New York Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, new legislation eliminating this cap was signed last month by Governor Kathy Hochul.

What Types of Spinal Cord Injury Research Will Be Funded?

Advances in technology and medicine make this era one of excitement for spinal cord injury researchers. Innovative new therapies include:

  • Regenerative therapies using stem cells or growth factors
  • Neuromodulation techniques like epidural spinal cord stimulation
  • Advanced neuroprosthetic devices to restore motor function
  • Improved imaging methods to assess spinal cord damage
  • Studies on mitigating secondary injury mechanisms
  • Research into optimizing rehabilitation strategies utilizing robotics and virtual reality

New York is one of only a few states funding this important research, leading the nation in groundbreaking progress for spinal cord injury.

These funds will ensure the State continues to move forward with this important work.