Scientists have found a way to treat irreversible paralysis of mice – study
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Scientists have found a way to treat paralysis in mice with complete damage to the spinal cord. According to scientists, this is the first step in the treatment of paralyzed people.
This is reported by Science Alert with reference to a study published in the scientific journal Science.
Scientists from the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (Switzerland) found that regrowth of neurons is not enough to restore walking. Instead, regenerative therapies must target specific neurons and guide them to the right place.
“We expect our gene therapy to work in combination with our other procedures involving electrical stimulation of the spinal cord,” – says co-author of the study, neurobiologist Gregoire Courtin.
| Axons that go from the thoracic spine to the lumbar. Photo: Jimmy James Ravier |
During a partial spinal cord injury, motor functions are restored naturally. Neurons responsible for walking are located in the lumbar spine. In case of temporary paralysis, neurons from the thoracic region transmit a signal to the lumbar region, which allows to restore mobility.
However, complete damage to the spinal cord prevents such self-healing.
Using genetic analysis, researchers have determined which neurons in the thoracic spinal cord contribute to natural healing. They traced their axons, the tiny nerve fibers that connect neurons and conduct nerve impulses.
“Our observations using single-cell nuclear RNA sequencing revealed not only the specific axons that must regenerate, but also that these axons must reconnect with their natural targets to restore motor function.” – says co-author of the study Jordan Squire.
After the received observations, neuroscientists developed gene therapy. It should stimulate the growth of axons and direct them to the spinal cord, which is located in the lumbar spine.
The scientists activated the growth program in the neurons so that their axons grew. They upregulated proteins that help axons move through damaged tissue. The researchers also gave them molecules that help them find their targets in the lumbar region.
As a result, the mice, which were completely paralyzed, began to walk again. When the scientists turned off these neurons, the effect disappeared.
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| Regeneration of axons at the site of complete spinal cord injury. Above – the spinal cord of a mouse without treatment, below – after gene therapy. Photo: Jimmy James Ravier |
“We believe that a complete solution for treating spinal cord injury will require both approaches: gene therapy to regenerate the relevant nerve fibers and spinal cord stimulation to maximize the ability of these fibers and the spinal cord below the injury to cause movement.” – notes Gregoire Courtin.
However, the researchers note that promoting regeneration over long distances is much more difficult. Therefore, many more studies need to be conducted to apply this method to humans.
We will remind you that earlier we wrote that scientists made a breakthrough in the treatment of paralysis and restored mobility in 9 patients.
Read also: He was paralyzed for 12 years: a man from the Netherlands got back on his feet thanks to a brain implant
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