Nerve Cells Regrown

Scientists from Case Western Reserve University (Ohio, USA) and The Cleveland Clinic (Ohio, USA) have found a way to reconnect severed spinal cords in rats, allowing them to regain bladder control.  A combined approach involving surgery and two chemicals, chondroitinase and FGF, that appear to encourage continued nerve cell regrowth.  After six months of growth, the rats demonstrated near-normal bladder control–it seems that the nerves had recuperated enough for brain-spinal cord-bladder communication to work once more.  With the study authors writing that: “Our studies provide evidence that an enhanced nerve grafting strategy represents a potential regenerative treatment after severe spinal cord injury,” it is hoped that this research may lead one day to helping humans with spinal cord injuries to recover lost abilities.