RSS Feeds

Earth Science

Space Science

Life Science

Fields of Scientific Study

Nanotechnology

Cancer

Definitions of The Fields of Scientific Study

Hopes of a New Treatment Approach for Paralysis

March 15, 2004

Scientists at the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg) were recently able to show in experiments with mice that a paralysis can be reversed by blocking programmed cell death.

Paralysis in the form of paraplegia and quadriplegia is usually the result of traumatic spinal cord injuries, but can also be caused by tumors. When the spinal cord is cut off, information sent by the brain can no longer be transmitted to the limbs. Biological processes such as programmed cell death, or apoptosis, take place after the actual moment of injury of the nerve cords and lead to further destruction of the damaged tissue and thus to permanent paralysis.

Dr. Ana Martin-Villalba and collaborators at the Immunogenetics Division headed by Professor Dr. Peter Krammer describe in the latest issue of the science journal Na-ture Medicine* how blockage of a key molecule of apoptosis restores the ability of coordinated movement of paralyzed limbs. Using specific antibodies, the investiga-tors blocked a protein called CD95 L which triggers a suicide cascade in cells carry-ing the specific receptor protein CD95.

The experiments showed that mice treated with antibodies after selective spinal cord injuries performed significantly better in special skill tests than the control animals. In addition, tissue sections of the treated animals revealed newly growing nerve fibers beyond the place of injury. Treatment with antibodies also prevented oligodendro-cytes from dying - cells that insulate the cord-like nerve fibers and thus facilitate sig-nal transmission.
Brain injuries and spinal cord injuries are the leading causes of deaths and severe disabilities in individuals under 40 years of age. In the future, specific blockage of apoptosis may become a way of preventing life-long paralysis by protecting injured nerves from further destruction.

*Deana Demjen, Stefan Klussmann et al.: Neutralization of CD95 ligand promotes regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Nature Medicine, April 2004

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum

Related Spinal Cord Current Events and Spinal Cord News Articles

Spinal Cord Current Events and Spinal Cord News RSS

Factors from common human bacteria may trigger multiple sclerosis
Current research suggests that a common oral bacterium may exacerbate autoimmune disease. The related report by Nichols et al, "Unique Lipids from a Common Human Bacterium Represent a New Class of TLR2 Ligands Capable of Enhancing Autoimmunity," appears in the December 2009 issue of The American Journal of Pathology.

Cancer metabolism discovery uncovers new role of IDH1 gene mutation in brain cancer
Agios Pharmaceuticals today announced that its scientists have established, for the first time, that the mutated IDH1 gene has a novel enzyme activity consistent with a cancer-causing gene, or oncogene.

Drug studied as possible treatment for spinal injuries
Researchers have shown how an experimental drug might restore the function of nerves damaged in spinal cord injuries by preventing short circuits caused when tiny "potassium channels" in the fibers are exposed.

Scripps research scientists find new link between insulin and core body temperature
A team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered a direct link between insulin-a hormone long associated with metabolism and metabolic disorders such as diabetes-and core body temperature.

UCI embryonic stem cell therapy restores walking ability in rats with neck injuries
The first human embryonic stem cell treatment approved by the FDA for human testing has been shown to restore limb function in rats with neck spinal cord injuries - a finding that could expand the clinical trial to include people with cervical damage.

Findings show nanomedicine promising for treating spinal cord injuries
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a new approach for repairing damaged nerve fibers in spinal cord injuries using nano-spheres that could be injected into the blood shortly after an accident.

Researchers explore new ways to prevent spinal cord damage using a vitamin B3 precursor
Substances naturally produced by the human body may one day help prevent paralysis following a spinal cord injury, according to researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College. A recent $2.5 million grant from the New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research Board will fund their research investigating this possibility.

Researchers identify drug candidate for treating spinal muscular atrophy
A chemical cousin of the common antibiotic tetracycline might be useful in treating spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a currently incurable disease that is the leading genetic cause of death in infants.

Master regulator found for regenerating nerve fibers in live animals
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston report that an enzyme known as Mst3b, previously identified in their lab, is essential for regenerating damaged axons (nerve fibers) in a live animal model, in both the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Researchers find ways to encourage spinal cord regeneration after injury
Animal research is suggesting new ways to aid recovery after spinal cord injury. New studies demonstrate that diet affects recovery rate and show how to make stem cell therapies safer for spinal injury patients.

More Spinal Cord Current Events and Spinal Cord News Articles

	The Spinal Cord: A Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Text and Atlas by Charles Watson (Editor), George Paxinos (Editor), Gulgun Kayalioglu (Editor) Many hundreds of thousands suffer spinal cord injuries leading to loss of sensation and motor function in the body below the point of injury. Spinal cord research has made some significant strides towards new treatment methods, and is a focus of many laboratories worldwide. In addition, research on the involvement of the spinal cord in pain and the abilities of nervous tissue in the spine to regenerate has increasingly been on the forefront of biomedical research in the past years. The Spinal Cord, a collaboration with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, is the first comprehensive book on the anatomy of the mammalian spinal cord. Tens of thousands of articles and dozens of books are published on this subject each year, and a great deal of experimental work has been carried out on...
	Basic and Clinical Anatomy of the Spine, Spinal Cord, and ANS by Gregory Cramer (Author), Susan Darby (Author) This one-of-a-kind text describes the specific anatomy and neuromusculoskeletal relationships of the human spine, with special emphasis on structures affected by manual spinal techniques. A comprehensive review of the literature explores current research of spinal anatomy and neuroanatomy, bringing practical applications to basic science. * A full chapter on surface anatomy includes tables for identifying vertebral levels of deeper anatomic structures, designed to assist with physical diagnosis and treatment of pathologies of the spine, as well as evaluation of MRI and CT scans. * High-quality, full-color illustrations show fine anatomic detail. * Red lines in the margins draw attention to items of clinical relevance, clearly relating anatomy to clinical care. * Spinal dissection...
	Remedy by Spinal Cord
	Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine by American Paraplegia Society Journal designed to increase knowledge about spinal cord impairment and related problems. Presents current clinical and research data related to traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury. Enhances practice skills and techniques of clinicians working with spinal cord patients.
	Spinal Cord Injuries: Management and Rehabilitation by Sue Ann Sisto PT MA PhD (Author), Erica Druin MPT (Author), Martha Macht Sliwinski PT MA PhD (Author) From a hospital admittance to discharge to outpatient rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injuries addresses the wide spectrum of rehabilitation interventions and administrative and clinical issues specific to patients with spinal cord injuries. Comprehensive coverage includes costs, life expectancies, acute care, respiratory care, documentation, goal setting, clinical treatment, complications, and activities of daily living associated with spinal cord patients. In addition to physical therapy interventions and family education components, this resource includes content on incidence, etiology, diagnosis, and clinical features of spinal cord injury. Case Studies with clinical application thinking exercises help you apply knowledge from the book to real life situations.Thoroughly referenced,...
	3B Scientific Spinal cord with by 3B Scientific
	Deluxe Spinal Cord-DG165 by Anatomical Chart Company 5-times life-size segment of the upper thoracic spinal cord with a portion of the white matter cut away to expose the anterior and posterior nerve roots. Size: 12" x 8" x 5"
	Remedy [Explicit] Spinal Cord (Primary Contributor)
	Spinal Cord Injury Research Awareness Ribbon Mouse Pad by MyHeritageWear.com The Spinal Cord Injury Research proudly displayed on a mouse pad. There is no better way to achieve awareness for the meaning of the Spinal Cord Injury Research than to display it on your mouse pad for everyone to see. The mouse pad measures at 9.25 x 7.75, it is machine washable, and the colors will not fade or run. Start gaining awareness today by presenting your Spinal Cord Injury Research mouse pad at work or at home. It is certain to keep your mouse rolling in style all while gaining support and awareness!
	Life After SCI Spinal Cord Injury Volume 2: Transfering and Adapting Also With: Mark Schmitt (Host)