USA: SCIENTIST IDENTIFY A MOLECULE WHICH MAY HELP THE REGENERATION OF INJURED NERVE CELLS FOR VICTIMS OF STROKES AND PARALYSIS

Record ID: 863548

  • Title: USA: SCIENTIST IDENTIFY A MOLECULE WHICH MAY HELP THE REGENERATION OF INJURED NERVE CELLS FOR VICTIMS OF STROKES AND PARALYSIS
  • Date: 7th December 2000
  • Summary: VARIOUS MAGNIFIED IMAGES/ DIAGRAMS OF THE NERVE CELLS (2 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 22nd December 2000 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Health,Quirky,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVAD6KX6CH2T26U773DHH8V6HM6E
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  • Story Text: Scientists have identified a molecule that may be a key to helping injured nerve cells regenerate. It's a breakthrough discovery that could potentially lead to new treatments for victims of stroke and paralysis.
    For years scientists have been searching for clues to unlock the key to nerve regeneration due to damage stemming from stroke, neurological disorders and spinal cord injuries.
    They're one step closer now. Scientists have identified a molecule that is key to helping injured nerve cells regenerate, potentially leading to new treatments for victims of stroke and paralysis.
    Researcher, Dr. Larry Benowitz of Boston's Children's Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical school, says a molecule called inosine activates a master switch which turns on a number of genes involved in the growth of nerve cells.
    "What we've found is that inosine caused massive amounts of axon growth in the mature brain. This was a big surprise for a number of reasons. One is that there are normally highly potent suppressive agents in the nervous system that prevent nerve cells from re-growing damaged fibres. The treatment with inosine, somehow enabled nerve cells to overcome these barriers, and to restore some of the missing circuitry," Dr. Benowitz said.
    Dr. Benowitz says, that inosine causes massive amounts of axon growth in the mature brain, helping to restore some of the missing circuitry. The same mechanism is believed to be activated when brain cells are forming their connections during embryonic development. Benowitz says treatment could be administered by delivering inosine into the brain's ventricles, or openings.
    For Benowitz and colleagues the findings could also potentially help patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders like ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, or even Multiple Sclerosis.
    Phase I and II clinical trials for patients suffering from stroke and spinal cord injury are expected to begin within six to twelve months.
    Dr. Benowitz's finding were reported in the November issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.
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