UZH researches spinal cord regeneration

(CONNECT) Researchers at the University of Zurich (UZH) and Balgrist University Hospital are working on the use of antibodies that can be used to regenerate injured spinal cords, as detailed in a press release. This shows that the use of NG101 antibodies can lead to the formation of new nerve fibers.

These antibodies were discovered at UZH 30 years ago. The antibodies are directed against the protein Nogo-A, which prevents damaged nerve fibers from regenerating in the event of an acute spinal cord injury. By blocking the protein Nogo-A, which is found in the sheaths of nerve fibers in the spinal cord and brain, NG101 allows new nerve fibers to form. These in turn can establish new functional connections to arm, hand and leg nerves. "With the help of modern imaging techniques, we were able to demonstrate how the antibody therapy works directly in the spinal cord in the new study," says Patrick Freund, UZH professor and head of the Center for Paraplegia at Balgrist University Hospital, in the press release.

The researchers hope that the results of the study will help to heal spinal cord injuries that can lead to tetraplegia and paraplegia and restore patients' physical independence. "Remaining and regrowing nerve fibers can thus find new connections to the spinal cord centers of the hand, arm and leg nerves. And these are crucial for ensuring that signals from the brain can reach the muscles again," says Freund. The study has been published in the current issue of Nature Communications. ce/ww