[AHolland]

Engineering nerve jumper cables for spinal cord repair

KurzweilAI.net, Feb. 17, 2006


Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have created a new way to engineer nerve structures, or constructs, in culture. This proof-of-principle research has implications for eventually becoming a new method to repair spinal cord injury in humans.

Previously, they showed that they could grow axons by placing neurons from rat dorsal root ganglia on nutrient-filled plastic plates. Axons sprouted from the neurons on each plate and connected with neurons on the other plate. The plates were then slowly pulled apart over a series of days, aided by a precise computer-controlled motor system.

In this study, the neurons were elongated to 10mm over seven days, after which they were embedded in a collagen matrix (with growth factors), rolled into a form resembling a jelly roll, and then implanted into a rat model of spinal cord injury.

The long bundles of axons span two populations of neurons, and these neuron constructs can grow axons in two directions - toward each other and into the host spinal cord at each side. That way they can integrate and connect the "cables" to the host tissue in order to bridge a spinal cord lesion.

[BobbyMo]

That sounds promising. How far away from trials on people like us?

[kanga2433]

Wow! That does sound interesting. Sounds a bit down the line though. It is obviously going to be good for cases where the cord is actually severed, but many cases the cord is intact but too damaged to carry signals. I wonder if such treatment would involve cutting the dead bit of the cord out first?

[Simon]

The cord has a sheath around it and its so strong its rarely that the cord actually gets severed, even my complete injury at c4 it is unlikely my cord is actually severed, just badly crushed. A bit like taking really strong pliers to a telephone cable and squeezing, it will probably stop the phone working but the cable is still intact outwardly.
My question is how they will connect the right nerves to each other above/below the lesion that is the BIG problem, otherwwise you could have nerves connected all wrong. If you think phamtom pain is bad now, imagine trying to move your arm and your leg moves instead!

[russ1]

I suspect that it's rather like being a baby - you just have to learn the right controls and train yourself to move your limbs etc and to co-ordinate your movements.

[Bob Clark]

Simon, on Feb 19 2006, 01:26 PM, said:

The cord has a sheath around it and its so strong its rarely that the cord actually gets severed, even my complete injury at c4 it is unlikely my cord is actually severed, just badly crushed. A bit like taking really strong pliers to a telephone cable and squeezing, it will probably stop the phone working but the cable is still intact outwardly.

My neuro-surgeon explained it as if the spinal cord was a banana. You can squeeze it and bruise the inside then reshape the outside peel so it looks normal. My cord was never cut... just badly bruised because I'm a T-5 complete. Or as near to complete as you can get.