Spinal injury researchers make 'genetic breakthrough'RSS Feed

Scientists appear to have shed light on the process that occurs following a serious spinal injury - and their research could potentially lead to future treatments.

Patients with spinal cord injuries may be able to avoid paralysis by shutting down the action of a single gene, according to findings published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

The Abcc8 gene is key to the body's reaction after a spinal injury as it activates a protein known as Sulfonylurea receptor-1 (Sur1) which sometimes actually inflicts more damage on the cells of the spinal cord.

A summary of the report in the journal stated: "By shutting down the Abcc8 gene that encodes the Sur1 protein the researchers were able to halt the self-destructive process and improve long-term recovery in spinal cord injured mice."

Lead researcher Marc Simard of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the rest of his team will now be looking to progress towards the clinical trial stage.

Meanwhile, scientists at the University of Illinois, Urbana, the University of Pennsylvania and Tufts University in Boston are quoted in the journal Nature Materials as saying that a new brain implant partly made of silk could help patients with spinal injuries.

News from Serious Law, specialist spinal injury compensation solicitors

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