CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Researchers at Northwestern University say they have discovered a breakthrough treatment for spinal cord injuries involving what they refer to as "dancing molecules."
When injected into mice, the molecules mimic the motion of and communicate with biological cells.
The molecules then send signals to trigger cells to repair and regenerate, which could dramatically improve outcomes for those who have suffered severe spinal cord injuries.
Samuel Stupp is Board of Trustees Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Medicine and Biomedical Engineering at the University and is founding director of the Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology and its affiliated research center, the Center for Regenerative Nanomedicine.
He led the study to find treatment for paralysis using the new research.
“Our research aims to find a therapy that can prevent individuals from becoming paralyzed after major trauma or disease,” Stupp said in a statement.
“For decades, this has remained a major challenge for scientists because our body’s central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, does not have any significant capacity to repair itself after injury or after the onset of a degenerative disease.
Paralyzed animals regained the ability to walk within four weeks, according to researchers. University scientists are going to the FDA for approval to continue their research on human patients.
Researchers believe the therapy could also be used to slow or even reverse the effects of stroke, ALS, Parkinsons's Disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
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