Researchers identify promising therapeutic target for central nervous system injuries
Friday, October 16, 2009 - 04:14
in Health & Medicine
Scars can serve as double-edged swords in spinal cord injuries - saving a victim's life, but sealing his or her fate as a paraplegic or quadriplegic. The scar forms a wall around the wound, preventing the injury from spreading, but limiting opportunities for neural regeneration. Cells in the scar release molecules that keep severed nerve fibres from passing the damaged tissue, so they cannot connect with their original targets to restore motor and sensory function...