Nerve Cells Regenerate

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SAN DIEGO (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Using therapies and cell grafts, San Diego researchers say they've promoted significant regeneration of nerve cells in rats with spinal cord injury. The therapy stimulated new nerve fibers called axons to grow and extend well beyond the site of the injury and into surrounding tissue. "Previous studies have demonstrated reduced lesion and scarring, tissue sparing and functional recovery after acute spinal cord injury," said study leader Dr. Mark Tuszynski. "This study shows unequivocally that axons can be stimulated to regenerate into a cell graft placed in a lesion site, and out again, into the spinal cord -- the potential basis for putting together a practical therapy." The findings appear in the Journal of Neurosciences. Copyright 2004 by United Press International.