Spinal Cord Injury News

A collection of posts on news, information and resources for those with spinal cord injuries.

Finding Drugs to Treat Spinal Cord Injuries

Researchers have designed a simple and efficient platform that uses zebrafish to discover and identify new drugs to treat spinal cord lesions. The proof-of-concept study was published today in Scientific Reports.

Posted in Research for a Cure on July 20th, 2019.

New Research Takes Step Towards Healing Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries

Recently, researchers have investigated a nerve repair process that could potentially be activated to heal injuries to the brain and spinal cord. This discovery came from investigating an existing peripheral nerve regeneration pathway and applying similar concepts to central nervous system cells. This research team was led by Claire Jacob, Professor at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and at the Swiss University of Fribourg. Their findings were published in a recent edition of Cell Reports.

Posted in Research for a Cure on July 11th, 2019.
Tagged: myelin, oligodendrocyte, schwann cells

An ‘EpiPen’ for Spinal Cord Injuries

An injection of nanoparticles can prevent the body’s immune system from overreacting to trauma, potentially preventing some spinal cord injuries from resulting in paralysis.

The approach was demonstrated in mice at the University of Michigan, with the nanoparticles enhancing healing by reprogramming the aggressive immune cells — call it an “EpiPen” for trauma to the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord.

Posted in Therapies and Procedures on July 11th, 2019.

Nerve Transfer Surgery Restores Hand Function in Adults with Paralysis

13 young adults with tetraplegia are able to feed themselves, hold a drink, brush their teeth, and write as a result of a novel surgical technique which connects functioning nerves with injured nerves to restore power in paralyzed muscles.

Nerve transfer surgery has enabled 13 young adults with complete paralysis to regain movement and function in their elbows and hands, according to the largest case series of this technique in people with tetraplegia (paralysis of both the upper and lower limbs), published in The Lancet.

Posted in Therapies and Procedures on July 5th, 2019.

Discovery Reveals Ability of Schwann Cells to Generate Myelin

OHSU research could lead to new therapies to heal nervous system disorders

Scientists have discovered that a special type of cell is much more prolific in generating a protective sheath covering nerve fibers than previously believed.

Posted in Research for a Cure on July 5th, 2019.
Tagged: myelin, schwann cells

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