hope for spinal patients

i found this article while peeping at what's new over at the drudge report.
seems there is a chemical compound that has been used to good effect on dogs with injured spines, restoring mobility to 68% of the dogs with paralyzed hind legs. clinical trials will be starting with humans once they get a manufacturer on line to produce the compound. wonder if it would help arthritis sufferers? when you read the article, you'll see why i hope it might, based on the way they think it works. i'd be in line for the trials if they thought there would be any relief for chronic back pain. based on what they think this chemical does, it may hold hope for the zillions of us "older" folks with back problems. guess i'll have to keep on top of this one.