Scientists restore breathing in spinal cord injuryRSS Feed

Researchers have successfully restored breathing in an animal model of spinal cord injury, potentially improving the survival rates of people with spinal injury.

A team from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine were able to bridge a spinal cord injury and biologically regenerated lost nerve connections to the diaphragm, restoring breathing in the rodents with spinal injury.

According to the authors, restoration of breathing is the top desire of people with spinal cord injuries.

Furthermore, respiratory infections which occur through the ventilation systems, are a major cause of death in this group.

Jerry Silver, professor of neurosciences at the university, said: "All the nerves hook up with interneurons and somehow unwanted activities are filtered out but signals for breathing come through.

"The spinal cord is smart."

In other spinal injury news, a study published in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine revealed that the severity of spinal cord injury does not necessarily impact on how adults with the condition rate their health.

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Posted by Paul Breen
 

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