Electrically Mediated Trauma Repair.
Abstract
In this contract year, we have finished development of a quantitative three dimensional computer assisted morphometric technique used for the evaluation of spinal cord pathology. This has been applied to an evaluation of the effect of applied electric fields (which produce functional recovery) on the robust inflammatory reaction produced by CNS injury. Though preliminary data suggested an interaction, this did not hold up following a thorough examination with our more rigorous methods. A direct effect of DC fields on damaged axons was demonstrated in the first year of this contract, however, it does not appear that activated phagocytes are a secondary target. This contract year has seen two other important advancements: (1) We have proven that the applied field in combination with another known facilitator of nerve regeneration (polymeric guidance channels) can induce and direct robust mammalian spinal axon regeneration, and (2) acute rescue of nerve fibers doomed to separate and become nonfunctional is also possible - providing larger numbers of fibers for ancillary restorative techniques. This is accomplished through the application of artificial membrane polymers that can fuse, seal, and even permit nerve conduction across the lesion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA331287
Entities
People
- Richard E. Borgens
Organizations
- Purdue Research Foundation