New compound 'could increase' motor function recoveryRSS Feed

18 November 2009

Inflammation associated with spinal cord injury can be decreased and the recovery of motor function improved through the administration of a novel method of boosting natural body fat, according to new research.

Researchers from the University of California, Irvine found that the new method helps to decrease inflammation, which could also lead to possible new treatments for allergies, illnesses and injuries related to the immune system.

The fat, called palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), is a potent anti-inflammatory substance but is deactivated by a certain protein.

Scientists, through a combination of molecular modelling and chemical library screening, created a novel compound that blocks the action of this protein.

They found that, when administered to the spinal cords of mice after spinal cord injury, the compound decreased the associated inflammation.

According to Apparelyzed.com, a spinal cord injury peer support website, generally, paraplegics will be in hospital for around five months, where as quadriplegics can be in hospital for around six to eight months, while they undergo rehabilitation. This time could, potentially, be shortened through the successful administration of the new compound.

Serious Law, leading spinal cord injury solicitors. ADNFCR-2547-ID-19465463-ADNFCR