Electrically Mediated Trauma Repair

Abstract

We are interested in the way applied electrical fields may alter the responses of tissues to traumatic injury - especially nervous tissue. We have determined that an applied field of a particular polarity and magnitude can facilitate the regeneration of the spinal cord nerve fibers around the region of damage. Moreover, we have determined that such an electrical treatment can induce a recovery of function in a reflexive behavior produced by damage to a particular part of the spinal cord white matter. In the absence of such treatment, this behavioral defect is permanent for the life of the animal. We are also investigating the possibility that similar applied fields may enhance the capability of peripheral nerve fibers to regenerate and in so-doing produce an earlier and possibly more complete behavioral recovery. Keywords: Spinal cord; Regeneration; RA II; Peripheral nerves; Nerve generation; Neurogenesis; Behavior; Recovery.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA211094

Entities

People

  • Richard B. Borgens

Organizations

  • Purdue University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Anatomy
  • Animals
  • Classification
  • Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductors
  • Computers
  • Determinants (Mathematics)
  • Electric Fields
  • Implantation
  • Nerve Fibers
  • Nerves
  • Nervous System
  • Neurons
  • Peripheral Nervous System
  • Rodents
  • Spinal Cord
  • Spinal Injuries
  • Surgical Implantation

Readers

  • Neuroscience
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics