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http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/03/ ... ation.html
Microchip could help regenerate nerves
Friday, March 7, 2008
Potentially 'new life' for people with brain, spinal cord injuries, researcher says Scientists from three western Canadian universities are using a microchip as they try to encourage nerves cells to reconnect the brain, spinal cord, and the body.
If they succeed, the research could mean "a new life for people with brain or spinal cord injuries," said Naweed Syed, research director at the University of Calgary's Hotchkiss Brain Institute, in a release Thursday.
The chip could also help people with degenerative diseases, said University of Saskatchewan neuroscientist Valerie Verge.
The team is close to knowing how to use computer chips to facilitate the regeneration process, she said.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research gave the team, the Western Canada Regeneration Initiative, a $2.25-million grant Thursday to boost their research.
Brain surgeons, electrical engineers, neurologists, and neuroscience researchers from the universities of Calgary, Alberta and Saskatchewan are working on the project.
"If we generate electrical signals on a microchip, we can guide nerve cells sitting on that chip to grow and connect along specific pathways," Syed said. "Our dream is to bypass scar tissue and put nerve communication back on track."
The team is trying to create a tube-shaped microchip implant that would send electrical signals to encourage nerve fibres to grow together.
"They are merging the best of neuroscience with cutting-edge technology and engineering," said Dr. Rémi Quirion, scientific director at the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction.
Microchip could help regenerate nerves
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Christopher
- Posts: 845
- Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2003 10:09 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Date of Injury: 12/15/02
Level of Injury:
-dominant side C5, C6, & C7 avulsed. C8 & T1 stretched & crushed
BPI Related Surgeries:
-2 Intercostal nerves grafted to Biceps muscle,
-Free-Gracilis muscle transfer to Biceps Region innervated with 2 Intercostal nerves grafts.
-2 Sural nerves harvested from both Calves for nerve grafting.
-Partial Ulnar nerve grafted to Long Triceps.
-Uninjured C7 Hemi-Contralateral cross-over to Deltoid muscle.
-Wrist flexor tendon transfer to middle, ring, & pinky finger extensors.
Surgical medical facility:
Brachial Plexus Clinic at The Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN
(all surgeries successful)
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."
~Theodore Roosevelt - Location: Los Angeles, California USA