Spinal Cord Injury and Repair
Progress in stem cell research as well as in understanding the roles of different types of cells in the mature brain promise to change the prognosis for cases of spinal cord injury or diseases that attack the spinal cord. These disorders--such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and tumors or other conditions that affect the flow of messages in the brain and spinal cord--will benefit from improvements in our ability to boost repair mechanisms in the nervous system.
Glial Cells Provide Critical Support
Ben Barres is providing a new emphasis on the role of the supporting cells in the nervous system called glia. These are not only nursemaids, providing sustenance and sweeping up after the neurons, but are active guides in the developing brain and spinal cord, and may be able to jump start malfunctioning elements during disease and injury.
Researchers from neurobiology to bioengineering, together with clinical investigators, will use stem cells and other new therapeutics such as molecules that actively help nerve cells survive and repair themselves. Basic research will continue to provide a body of knowledge on how growing nerve fibers find their targets, why some nerve cells fail to do so, and what signals lead to good nerve growth and recovery of function. Other routes to mending spinal cord defects already include the ability to stimulate the spinal cord electrically, and to use computer technology and nerve signal analysis to command advanced prosthetics, allowing people to perform daily skills.
The institute's research program is positioned to promote rapid translation of laboratory research into new therapies.
Stem Cell Neural Repairs
Gary Steinberg is able to find out what happens when stem cell derived neurons are placed in the brain in an animal model of stroke. He is spearheading investigations of the safety of this approach in people. Investigators in his group are finding new sources of stem cells for potential therapies.
SINTN's spinal cord injury and repair effort will interact closely with the institute's neuroengineering initiative, the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and, most importantly, will work with the clinicians performing research and providing treatment at the Spinal Injury Units of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System and the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
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