Scientists Observe Growth of New Nerve Fibers, Paving the Way for Treating Paralysis Injuries

Spinal Cord

Scientific Breakthrough.. A "Spinal Cord" Begins to Recover in the Lab After Injury

In a development that could change the future of spinal cord injury treatment, scientists at Northwestern University in the United States have successfully built a "miniature human model" of the spinal cord in the lab. They then deliberately injured it to replicate what happens in real injuries before testing an unconventional molecular therapy on it, which showed remarkable results.

The idea is simply to create an "organelle" (nerve unit) that resembles the human spinal cord, grown from stem cells and containing different types of nerve and supporting cells. What makes this model significant is that it not only mimics the shape of the tissue but also reproduces the most prominent known consequences of severe injuries, such as cell death, inflammation, and the formation of a dense "glial scar" that prevents nerves from reconnecting and regenerating.

Here's the most remarkable part of the experiment. After inflicting the injury, the researchers treated these organelles with a substance they call "dancing molecules," a treatment based on molecules that move rapidly within a delicate, supportive network-like structure that forms around the injury site. 

The purpose of this rapid movement is to increase the chances of the molecules interacting with cell receptors, which are themselves in constant motion, potentially activating biological signals that encourage repair.

According to the team, the results were evident at the microscopic level. The long extensions of nerve fibers that allow neurons to communicate (known as neuronal extensions) began to regenerate, while scar tissue shrank considerably, becoming barely visible in some samples.

This is significant because spinal cord injuries often sever the "axons" that carry signals between the brain and the body, leading to loss of movement or sensation below the injury site. Therefore, any indication that these extensions can regenerate is a very encouraging sign.

Scientists Observe the Growth of New Nerve Fibers Paving the Way for Treating Paralysis Injuries

To make the model more realistic, researchers introduced specialized immune cells known as microglia into the organelles for the first time. These cells play a crucial role in the inflammation that follows injury. Their presence allowed researchers to observe a response more akin to what occurs within the human body, rather than simply a simplified reaction in a petri dish.

Spinal Cord

While there is still a long way to go before these findings can be applied to patients, the study's significance lies in testing the treatment on living human tissue in the lab. Scientists consider this the closest possible step to clinical trials. The team also plans to develop models that mimic older, chronic injuries, as the scar tissue in these cases is more rigid and complex.

In conclusion, this "mini-spinal cord healing" has not only opened a new door to understanding the injury but has also provided a realistic platform for testing treatments that may one day bring the idea of ​​nerve repair closer to becoming a reality.