Newsflash
New hope on spinal cord regrowth09nov04
A TINY molecule could hold the key to treatment of spinal cord injuries.
A University of Melbourne research team has made a world-first breakthrough, discovering the mechanism that allows regrowth of spinal cord nerves after they are damaged.
Mice genetically modified to lack the EphA4 molecule were able to walk within weeks of a spinal cord injury. EphA4 is important during the development of the brain and spinal cord, but is not usually present in high levels in adults.
Researchers discovered the molecule was turned back on for adults after injury to the spinal cord, but grew as part of the scar tissue that prevented spinal nerves from regenerating.
The discovery could eventually lead to development of drugs that could be given within hours or days of spinal injury to prevent scar tissue forming and blocking recovery.
posted by Greg @ 7:57 PM
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