University of Queensland researchers are claiming a breakthrough in spinal regeneration research with the discovery of a molecule that blocks regrowth of damaged nerve processes.
Professor Perry Bartlett, director of UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) and a world leader in brain function research, said the discovery would be vitally important in developing potential therapies for people with head and spinal injuries.
“If we can block that molecule shortly after accidents, we predict it would lead to regrowth of the nerve processes and therefore lead to recovery of function,” Professor Bartlett said.
Research on animals had shown that removing the molecule, known as EPHA4, in mice with damaged spinal cords had led to regeneration of nerve processes and dramatic changes in limb usage.
“The mice were able to grasp objects with a limb that had previously been paralysed,” he said.
“We have observed a significant regrowth not seen before.”
He said further research with mice would be directed towards developing therapeutics that can block the action of this molecule and if this proved to be effective, it would be a prospective agent to be used in human trials.
Professor Bartlett is an Australian Research Council Federation Fellow, UQ’s Foundation Chair in Molecular Neuroscience and was recently elected a Fellow of The Australian Academy of Science.