A recent study conducted on mice identified an important element for the recovery of functional activity in them following a spinal cord injury. The group of researchers demonstrated recovery occurred through specific neurons in regular target locations.
The researchers pointed out that random regrowth of neurons was not helpful in recovery. The publication was released in Nature where the researchers found a treatment strategy that could induce axons. Axons are thread-like structures that connect nerve cells, allowing communication between them.
The study focused on mice that sustained spinal cord injury so the treatment would induce sprouting of axons. The regeneration of axons was effective through the treatment strategy. However, the functional recovery of mice was an obstacle.
The investigation was intended to direct the regeneration of axons from the subpopulation of neurons in the target region. The researchers proposed that this technique could address the issue with functional restoration. The approach involved initial application of advanced genetic research to locate the nerve cell clusters. These clusters could promote walking in mice after partial spinal cord injury.
In addition, the researchers were able to discover that no effect was observed when they regenerated axons from the damaged nerve cells across the spinal cord. The involvement of chemical signals proved to be helpful in enhancing the walking ability.
This was in total spinal cord injury, where the use of signals could attract and guide the regeneration of axons in the natural site. Crucial insights were said to be gained from the study where the researchers were able to delve deeper into axon regeneration.
A senior author in the study, Dr. Michael Sofroniew, said that the necessity of actively guiding regenerated axons was highlighted in the study, this was a “meaningful neurological restoration.”
However, these results will be complicated to replicate in non-rodents. It would require strategies to address the intricate temporal and spatial features.
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