Electrical Signals Could Help Repair Spinal Cord Injuries

Researchers from Wichita State University are taking a new approach to the study of spinal cord injuries through research that uses electrical signals to repair tissue damage. Specifically, the research analyzes how Schwann cells help the body’s defense mechanisms regenerate cells surrounding the damaged tissue near the injury site. Previous research has shown that Schwann cells help myelinate nerve axons where the injury occurred, which can help recover some of the spinal cord’s function. During the current study, the research team studied how electrical signals can aim those cells directly to the injury site. By using next-generation RNA sequencing to analyze the signaling pathways that regulate cell migrate, the research team hopes to open new doors for the use of electrical fields regarding the treatment of neural injuries. Early results of the study show that the precision of the cell migration toward the injury increased significantly as the strength of the electrical field increased. The electrical field did not, however, change the speed at which the cells moved. To read more about this study, click here.