Protein research 'could be first step in curing spinal injury'RSS Feed

Proteins could be used to protect against spinal injury, new research has indicated.

Griffith University scientists found that treatment with two proteins significantly reduced spinal injury in rats.

The proteins significantly reduced the size of lesions in rats' spinal cords and also minimised toxicity at the injury site, according to the study which was published in the journal of Neurotrauma.

Researcher Ben Goss said that the discovery could be the first step to achieving a cure for spinal injury.

He explained that the initial spinal cord injury is similar to a bruise, but unlike an ordinary bruise it has a persistent inflammatory response which leads to further damage.

"This study has demonstrated for the first time a treatment can reduce or eliminate secondary degeneration after traumatic injury to the spinal cord," he said.

Meanwhile, a new exoskeleton device has been shown to aid walking in spinal cord injury patients.

Agnes Fejerdy, who was paralysed below the waist in a car crash, demonstrated the technology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

News by Serious Law. Expert legal assistance for those affected by spinal injury

Posted by Paul Breen
 

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