Electrically Mediated Trauma Repair
Abstract
Applied DC electric fields have been demonstrated to induce a recovery of function following spinal cord injury (SCI). Originally this treatment for severe neurotrauma had been demonstrated in laboratory guinea pigs using a defined, and permanent, deficit in a sensorimotor reflex is totally dependent on the integrity of long track white matter within the ventral spinal cord. Continuing studies have demonstrated the clinical utility of these procedures in cases of naturally produced, neurologically complete, SCI in dogs. A striking increase in recovery is noted when fully implantable stimulators are implanted within one month of the time of injury - but not if the application of a slowly oscillating DC field is delayed beyond this time. Evidence gained from laboratory rodents indicates the behavioral response is probably related to an electrically induced regeneration of nerve fibers within the transected spinal cord, and as well, perhaps a realignment of astrocytic cells that comprise CNS scar tissue
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 07, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA283603
Entities
People
- Richard B. Borgens
Organizations
- Purdue University