Electrically Mediated Trauma Repair.
Abstract
Our laboratory has studied the role that a naturally produced electric current plays in animal regeneration. Such steady currents and voltages are produced by physiological batteries in the integument, the inner investments of bone, or the cell membrane. We have developed means to modify these currents in order to test their relevance to certain developmental pageants (such as limb development) or regeneration (such as fracture repair and axonal elongation). We have previously demonstrated that an applied electric field is able to induce the regeneration of axons of the dorsal columns in adult guinea pigs. Moreover, our technique is non-invasive and does not require surgical manipulation of the spinal cord. We are testing the application of fields and their effects on sciatic nerve regeneration in the guinea pig. Ultimately, we hope these techniques provide novel clinical tools. They would have special relevance to the military in providing more rapid clinical solutions to these intractable lesions of hard tissue and of nervous tissue - the most severe and common lesions observed in combat casualties or injuries sustained during military training. Keywords: Osteogeneration; Nerve regeneration; Bioelectricity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA179097
Entities
People
- Richard B. Borgens
Organizations
- Purdue University