GM stem cells used to restore movement following spinal injuryRSS Feed

Genetically-modified adult stem cells have been used effectively to treat spinal injury in rats.

The experiment restored electrical pathways associated with movement, and therefore improved function, in a process called remyelination.

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston made two important discoveries enabling this breakthough - isolating precursor cells from an adult spinal cord and genetically modifying them to express a protein that encourages nerve growth.

Commenting on the results, lead researcher Qilin Cao said: "Most importantly, the evidence of remyelination was shown to exactly coincide with the anatomical localization of these motor pathways in spinal cord white matter.

"These latter data provide confidence that the mechanism by which the grafted OPCs [oligodendrocyte precursor cells] are enhancing functional recovery is through remyelination."

The findings come after researchers from Purdue University successfully demonstrated that an experimental drug could restore the function of nerves damaged during spinal injury.

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