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Posted on Oct 10, 2002, 7 a.m.
By Bill Freeman
Scientists have managed to reconnect severed spinal cord nerves using collagen tubes. Researchers from the University of Paris XI in Bicetre, France placed one end of the severed nerve 7-millimeters away from the other end inside the tubing; later examination revealed that the nerves had regrown along the pathway created by the tube and nerve signals were able to pass along the reconnected nerve to the affected muscle.
Scientists have managed to reconnect severed spinal cord nerves using collagen tubes. Researchers from the University of Paris XI in Bicetre, France placed one end of the severed nerve 7-millimeters away from the other end inside the tubing; later examination revealed that the nerves had regrown along the pathway created by the tube and nerve signals were able to pass along the reconnected nerve to the affected muscle. Paralysed rats that were given the treatment showed improvements in muscle tension and resistance 6 to 9-months after the surgery had been carried out, whereas a group of control rats did not improve.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 22nd June 2001
