Scientists discover way to repair axon fibers in the nerves of a damaged spine - Daily Mail

Scientists have found a way to repair fibers damaged fibers in the spine that do not repair themselves after significant injury in what could be a major step towards reversing some forms of paralysis.

A team from the Imperial College London, in England, were able to stimulate the regeneration of axon fibers in the spine of mice three months after they had suffered a devastating spinal injury that left them unable to walk.

While the mice did not regain their ability to walk, this is the first time doctors have been able to repair these fibers in the spine, opening the door for further research into fixing damage caused by spinal cord injury (SCI).

While physical therapy and other forms of treatment can help a person slowly regain some function, there are not reliable ways to repair a damaged spine and cure a person's SCI-related paralysis.

Researchers found that the molecule TTK21 could repair axons in the spine, which do not usually regenerate after a severe spinal injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can be devastating, and often occur as a result of a traumatic injury.

They do not repair themselves when damaged, making injury to the nervous system - and specifically the spinal cord where many nerves are linked to brain - both permanent and devastating

'This work shows that a drug called TTK21 that is administered systemically once/week after a chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) in animals can promote neuronal regrowth and an increase in synapses that are needed for neuronal transmission,' Simone Di Giovanni, lead researcher from the college, said in a statement

'This is important because chronic spinal cord injury is a condition without a cure where neuronal regrowth and repair fail.