first on decorahnews.com: The work of a groundbreaking neuroscientist in Louisville has improved the recovery of Luther College's Chris Norton

Dr. Susan Harkema, neuroscientist in the University of Louisville's Department of Neurosurgery

Luther College football player Chris Norton suffered a spinal cord injury on October 10th, 2010 in a football game against Central College.

Since that time he has made amazing strides in his recovery.  But Chris tells decorahnews.com "my recovery has really picked up" in recent weeks--thanks to the help of a University of Louisville neuroscientist.

Dr. Susan Harkema is a prominent neuroscientist in the University of Louisville's Department of Neurosurgery,  She led a team of scientists at the University of Louisville, UCLA and the California Institute of Technology that recently achieved a significant breakthrough in its initial work with a paralyzed 25-year-old man.

Harkema was invited to the Mayo Clinic for a spinal cord injury symposium--and there learned about Chris Norton.  Upon her recommendation, doctors began to wean Chris off one of his medications--baclofen--used primarily for the treatment of spastic movement disorders, especially in instances of spinal cord injury.

Chris is now off the medication--and says his range of motion has increased by 30 degrees.  He has been able to stand and take steps with a walker without anyone's assistance. 

Chris says he is feeling much better and credits Dr. Harkema as the reason for the big improvement.

(Note: The Youtube video below was posted February 20, 2013, despite the 2/20/12 notation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTgX-lD4FVY