Browse the latest research summaries in the field of biomedical for spinal cord injury patients and caregivers.
Showing 31-40 of 904 results
Anat Cell Biol, 2013 • June 12, 2013
This review discusses the potential of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in treating central nervous system (CNS) injuries by supporting stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration. CNTs' unique propertie...
KEY FINDING: CNTs' structure and dimensions resemble neuronal network elements, enabling better control over physiological activity and neuronal information processing.
PLoS ONE, 2013 • August 12, 2013
The study explores the interaction between carbon nanotube scaffolds and immature spinal cord neurons in vitro. The central finding is that spinal neurons adherent to carbon nanotube substrates underg...
KEY FINDING: Spinal neurons cultured on carbon nanotubes exhibit a 37% reduction in membrane capacitance, suggesting a difference in soma size and/or neurite extension.
Biomaterials, 2014 • January 1, 2014
This study reports the design of a bioactive aligned scaffold using co-assembly of epitope-bearing and unfunctionalized PA molecules for neuroregenerative applications. The effects of IKVAV and RGDS e...
KEY FINDING: The presentation of IKVAV epitopes enhanced neurite growth from neurons encapsulated in the scaffold, and the alignment of the scaffold guided these neurites along the direction of the nanofibers.
Tissue Engineering, 2014 • May 1, 2014
This study investigates the long-term effects of implanted multiple channel bridges on axon regeneration and matrix changes in a rat spinal cord injury model. The bridges are designed to provide struc...
KEY FINDING: Axons grew into and through the channels of the implanted bridges, with axon density increasing over time and peaking at 6 months post-implantation, even after the bridge had fully degraded.
STEM CELLS AND DEVELOPMENT, 2014 • April 1, 2014
This study investigates a tissue-engineered neural scaffold composed of Schwann cells (SCs) and neural stem cells (NSCs) modified to overexpress neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and its receptor TrkC, respective...
KEY FINDING: The tissue-engineered neural scaffold promotes the formation of myelin-like structures in vitro by NSC-derived myelinating cells and SCs.
PLoS ONE, 2013 • December 13, 2013
This study successfully isolated a recombinant antibody fragment (scFv) that binds to NCAM1-expressing cells in the intervertebral disc (IVD). This scFv has potential applications in targeted drug del...
KEY FINDING: A human scFv was successfully isolated against the recombinant NCAM1 domain using phage display technology.
Spine J., 2014 • September 1, 2014
This pilot study demonstrated that a PLGA scaffold improved regeneration of axons into peripheral nerve roots. The channels in the scaffold served as a mechanical bridge for axons to regenerate betwee...
KEY FINDING: The PLGA scaffold treatment group showed a statistically significant improvement in axon regeneration through the injury compared to the control group.
Tissue Engineering, 2014 • March 19, 2014
Substantial progress has been made in improving nerve function in SCI patients through nerve tissue regeneration. This perspective provides an overview of SCI research and tissue-engineered nerve rege...
KEY FINDING: Progress has been made in using cell therapy, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), neural stem cells (NSCs), and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), for nerve regeneration in SCI patients.
PLoS ONE, 2014 • February 27, 2014
This study investigates the suitability of P(CL), P(TMC-CL) and P(TMC) as substrates for spinal cord regeneration purposes. The results show that P(TMC-CL) stimulates neuronal polarization and promote...
KEY FINDING: P(TMC-CL) films significantly increased neuronal polarization and axonal elongation compared to other tested polymers and a control.
J Neurosci Methods, 2014 • July 30, 2014
The authors developed a two-compartment organotypic culture platform to study motor axon regeneration after nerve repair. The platform consists of a PDMS base and a collagen-coated membrane. The devel...
KEY FINDING: Motoneurons remain healthy for several weeks within the two-compartment system, demonstrating the viability of the culture.