In the UK and Ireland over 50,000 people live with a spinal cord injury, whether caused by an infection in the body or trauma damage to the nerve cells, the results are often irreversible.
The spinal cord is a key component of an individual’s central nervous system and its main function is to pass nerve signals to the brain from the body and back again. When the spinal cord becomes damaged the nerve signals also become damaged, meaning that the signals can no longer travel between the brain and the body, which causes irreversible paralysis.
Currently there is no cure for permanent paralysis, with the main objective of treatment being to help the sufferer remain as comfortable and independent as is possible.
Studies are currently underway at Edinburgh University into the nervous system of the tropical zebrafish. The research has shown that the zebrafish are able to regain full movement within just four weeks of sustaining damage to their spine. Scientists have found that following an injury, cells in the zebrafish (called fibroblasts) move to the damage site and produce a molecule called Collagen 12. This molecule allows the cellular structure within the fish to alter enabling the damaged cells to regenerate and restore, repairing the damage to their spines. Currently the structure in the human body creates a block which stops the nerves from repairing themselves.
Scientists are optimistic that their findings will pave the way for doctors to be able to restore the damaged nerve connections in the spinal cord of humans who have sustained serious injuries. Scientists have reported that there are remarkable similarities in the genes of humans and the tropical species, making them an ideal model for understanding damage to the human spine.
If you have sustained a spinal injury and think you might have a claim contact our specialist team.
