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Regenerated Nerve Cells Let Rats Walk Again

Posted by timothy on from the then-comes-human-doctor-number-two dept.

SteamyMobile writes "Paralysis by spinal cord injuries through accidents must be one of the most horrible life-altering experiences imaginable, often affecting young, active people, and so far there has been no effective treatment of it. Researchers at the Miami School of Medicine have found a therapy involving regenerating nerve cells to cross the gap in the spinal cord. 70% of rats could walk again after the therapy. Hopefully this could benefit Christopher Reeves and thousands of others who have had their lives changed so much by spinal injuries."

46 comments

  1. first... by biggyfries · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    step! hehe...uh...

  2. not to nitpick by trs9000 · · Score: 2, Informative

    i dont mean to nitpick but the gentlemans name is Reeve. no 's' on the end.
    the site you linked to makes that pretty clear.

    1. Re:not to nitpick by MachDelta · · Score: 4, Funny

      This is Slashdot. Not even the submitters read the articles.

    2. Re:not to nitpick by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, forget the promising nerve regeneration technology which could bring people out of an agonizing and depressing life of debilitating paralysis...
      ...We gotta fix this 's' thing, pronto!

  3. question: by larrylemur · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Speaking of science, does anyone out there know why hurricanes always seem to travel North? Just curious.

    1. Re:question: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      Because the US sucks? ;)

  4. Statistics by HalfFlat · · Score: 4, Informative

    Just a heads-up on an error in the summary: the Wired articles states than (all) the rats which received the combination treatment regained 70% of their walking function, not that 70% of the injured rats became able to walk.

    Given that the improvement was over a period of just eight weeks, this is possibly even more promising than the mangled statistic in the summary.

  5. biotechnology vs. bioethics, by a quadriplegic by dan_bethe · · Score: -1, Troll
    "Paralysis by spinal cord injuries through accidents must be one of the most horrible life-altering experiences imaginable..."

    Seconded only by receiving paralysis by spinal cord injuries through intentional torture and dismemberment in laboratories, or by the life lived under the ethics that permit scientists to do so. I hope these particular scientists somehow found rats with existing critical injuries and birth defects due to fantastic coincidence!

    1. Re:biotechnology vs. bioethics, by a quadriplegic by dan_bethe · · Score: -1, Troll

      Oops. I forgot the Dream Theater lyrics on the subject of bioethics. I got modded as troll! I must be doing something right! However, I accidentally forgot to prefix it with "I know I'll be modded down as 'troll', but..." so that it'd catapult to +5.

    2. Re:biotechnology vs. bioethics, by a quadriplegic by ScriptGuru · · Score: 5, Interesting

      This is far different from the stem cell research sung about. This is taking healthy Schwann cells from peripheral nerves which regrow which can be taken from the same animal. I don't see how there is really any ethical problem here.

      --
      Yet another signature that refers to itself. The irony and humor is dead.
    3. Re:biotechnology vs. bioethics, by a quadriplegic by martinX · · Score: 1

      He's talking about the ethics of crushing a rat's spinal cord in order to simulate the injury a human receives.

      --
      When they came for the communists, I said "He's next door. Take him away. Goddam commies."
    4. Re:biotechnology vs. bioethics, by a quadriplegic by dan_bethe · · Score: 1
      I was just thinking of bioethics in general, because they're probably intentionally mutilating these rats. The procedures and technology can change, but the methodologies and ethics may remain. In addition, Joni points out that there are sometimes ways to do bioresearch without cloning and such in the first place, and finally that if she could be healed of her quadriplegic condition by unethical means then she doesn't want the cure. Maybe it's a bit of a logical tangent, but ethics are always highly relevant at every level of bioresearch. Just fyi!

      "I abhor vivisection with my whole soul. All the scientific discoveries stained with innocent blood I count as of no consequence."

      "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

      -- Mahatma Gandhi

    5. Re:biotechnology vs. bioethics, by a quadriplegic by m_evanchik · · Score: -1, Troll

      Mahatma Gandi was an asshole. Read Orwell's essay on him.

      --

      evanchik.net

    6. Re:biotechnology vs. bioethics, by a quadriplegic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

      I read the essay. Orwell never said Ghandi was an asshole. You did.

    7. Re:biotechnology vs. bioethics, by a quadriplegic by BCoates · · Score: 1

      All the suffering of all the animals in the world is not worth the suffering of one human.

      If there's a potential treatment for paraplegia that involves brutally torturing millions of cute puppies for their life-giving tears, I'm all for trying it out--and there will be no shortage of volunteers to recieve it. Let the people who don't want to be cured not be, it's their place to decide for their life alone. The rest of us would like to stop worrying about being able to walk, or worse, from some stupid accident.

    8. Re:biotechnology vs. bioethics, by a quadriplegic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
      I hope these particular scientists somehow found rats with existing critical injuries

      If I could get out of this chair I would kick your ass up and down Main Street.

    9. Re:biotechnology vs. bioethics, by a quadriplegic by the_raptor · · Score: 1

      And only vegetarians should be able to complain about that. Getting a crushed spinal cord sounds preferrable to being butchered then eaten. Or is it because rats are cute? (I actually am a rat owner) Bacteria are alive to but you hardly ever hear people bitching about experiments on bacteria. Or cockroaches, or any ugly animal.

      --

      ========
      CINC, 4th Penguin Legion
  6. WTF? Only Hot People Apply? by thecampbeln · · Score: 1, Funny
    ...often affecting young, active people...

    So what of us hideous, nerd-like beings? It's not a terrible thing simply because some pretty people ain't so pretty no mo. Common ./ editors, was that statement really so necessary?

    --
    "1984" was ment to be a warning, not a guidebook. You hear that Kim Jong-il!? BushCo?!
    1. Re:WTF? Only Hot People Apply? by jgaynor · · Score: 4, Interesting

      ...often affecting young, active people...

      Actually Im a big dork and sustained a fairly dork-related injury which this could help. During finals of my senior year I stressed myself out so badly that I incurred the wrath of Ramsey-Hunt syndrome - think of it like chicken pox in your brain. It cuts off the cranial facial nerve and paralyzes one side of your face. The nerve regrows but is almost never 100% again. Id love to get this fixed so my smile won't be so f*ed up anymore. I only hope when this technology hits the open market it's not tens of thousands of dollars and will work on non-spinal nerves.

    2. Re:WTF? Only Hot People Apply? by TheLink · · Score: 1

      For some nerve problems (squished, damaged etc) you could try methycobalamin (B12 with a methyl). Typical dosage is 1x500ug three times a day.

      It helps some cases of RSI (the B12 helps the squished nerves = less/no pain).

      I don't know if it'll help you - if the nerves are too screwed up, it may not. But it might be worth a shot - it's cheap, safe and the side effects are very minimal.

      I'm not a doc and don't have any medical training. So look up the various research publications on it on the net and consult your physician.

      Won't the nonspinal nerves grow given the right conditions? I mean body builders pretty much extend the lengths/widths of their arms etc, the nerves have got to grow a bit.

      Heck even spinal nerves have got to grow in most children - most grow significantly taller right?

      --
    3. Re:WTF? Only Hot People Apply? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I would just injure the nerve on the other side and even things out. But then, I'm balding and shave my head so it looks like a fashion choice.

    4. Re:WTF? Only Hot People Apply? by jgaynor · · Score: 1

      You're absolutely right - and yes B1/B12 are helpful when you're in the 'regrowth' stage of a squished nerve. Most people recover without issue, but some experience 'weak' nerves afterwards or even crossed nerves (ie when you smile on one side you inadvertently blink an eye). The condition has a name - something like sink***sis - but since I can't remember exactly google isn't being very helpful.

      The harvard neurological forums are a great resource for people with bells/Ramsey Hunt and some other nerve disorders. They were helpful in diagnosing my weird-ass condition and finding information on how to treat it/help with the LONG (6 month) nerve regrowth.

    5. Re:WTF? Only Hot People Apply? by DiscoOnTheSide · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Wow Jon. I'm 110% serious when I say I never noticed it in the two years I've been working at ResNet with you (this is A.J.)... See you at work sometime...

      --
      Viva La Revolucion! Buy a Mac!
    6. Re:WTF? Only Hot People Apply? by froschmann · · Score: 1
      sustained a fairly dork-related injury

      You do realise what the word "dork" means, right? I got something in my email that might help you "regain your manhood" if you want... Not trying to mock your injury of course.

  7. Oh Geeze... by thecampbeln · · Score: 2, Funny
    Just call me a jackass... the first 3 times I read that, I saw "attractive", not "active". Durr... Excuse me whilst I make a quick trip to the coffee pot to get an eye opener.

    "Moo, Moo. Moo Moo Moo Moo" (Translation: "Sorry, my bad.")

    --
    "1984" was ment to be a warning, not a guidebook. You hear that Kim Jong-il!? BushCo?!
  8. Math proves Christopher Reeve will walk again! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    A rat can carry around a kilo when it is healthy. I would assume that these 70% rehabilitated lab rats can carry 700 grams. Assuming Chris has lost some weight since the fall and he now weighs 70 kilos, it will only take the combined effort of 100 of these rats for him to walk again!

    Throw in one 'super rat' that tells the other rats what to do, and Segway has some serious competition...

    1. Re:Math proves Christopher Reeve will walk again! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Assuming Chris has lost some weight since the fall and he now weighs 70 kilos, it will only take the combined effort of 100 of these rats for him to walk again!

      Scientists have already figured out how to do this with cockroaches; unfortunately it only allows crippled people to be mobile in the dark. If you turn the light on really fast they slam you right into the fridge.

    2. Re:Math proves Christopher Reeve will walk again! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What if you turn the light on really slowly?

    3. Re:Math proves Christopher Reeve will walk again! by Paradise+Pete · · Score: 2, Funny
      What if you turn the light on really slowly?

      They still slam you into the fridge, but you see it coming.

  9. Bush was right to ban stem cell research by jgardn · · Score: -1, Troll

    We don't need to violate our ethics to advance scientifically. Bush was right to wave the red flag and say there are certain limits we don't want to approach.

    --
    The radical sect of Islam would either see you dead or "reverted" to Islam.
  10. Superman no walkie by martinX · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The original research mentioned in the article was done in the hospital where I work, and I become very familiar with the material - I made the Flash-driven CD-ROM press release (first time I used Flash video) :-) . Since I come from a life sciences background, it didn't go whooshing over my head. Bottom line: this sort of treatment, if the patients are to have any chance of succeess, must be used within about 30 days of the injury occurring. Superman will not fly.

    The treatment still hasn't been used to treat spinal cord damage in humans. Phase 1 trials (where they see if there are any negative effects from the treatment) were carried out in our hospital last year. It'll be a while before they move on to Phase 2.

    --
    When they came for the communists, I said "He's next door. Take him away. Goddam commies."
    1. Re:Superman no walkie by DigiShaman · · Score: 2, Interesting

      So why not cut thin slices of cord on both ends of the broken cord? I would think newly exposed spinal cord would help jumpstart the ability to be treated once again.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    2. Re:Superman no walkie by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      So why not cut thin slices of cord on both ends of the broken cord? I would think newly exposed spinal cord would help jumpstart the ability to be treated once again.

      Why not read the article. The answers in there.

  11. chistopher reeve is screwed by maddh · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I saw some spinal injury expert interview on the news a while ago when the stem cell controversy was bigger and christopher reeves had that commercial where special effects made him stand up. The expert said that when the spinal cord is severed, after a certain period of time the spinal cord below the cut turns to mush cause it doesn't get used. basically saying that people with old injuries were screwed and the best medicine could hope for is treating people right after the injury. So while these rats have only a .1 mm gap to regenerate, christopher reeve could very well have 3 feet of spinal mush along with peripheral nerves that would need regeneration.

    But then again he wiggled a toe and breathes on his own now so i might be wrong.

  12. Remember one simple little fact by advocate_one · · Score: -1, Flamebait
    somebody had to cut the spinal cords of those rats in the first place for the experiments... and then they were killed to examine the results...

    Please remember this and ponder if the ends justify the means.

    --
    Donald 'Duck' Dunn: We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.
    1. Re:Remember one simple little fact by m0rph3us0 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Why not protest rat poison before research? I'm just guessing rat posion kills a hell of alot more rats than research.

    2. Re:Remember one simple little fact by advocate_one · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      wow... amazing how some moderators can't handle the fact that so many medical advances depend upon animal experimentation... and are quite happy to wander around in blissful ignorance of this highly controversial moral issue.

      I've so far had -1 troll, +1 interesting and -1 flamebait for the OP...

      --
      Donald 'Duck' Dunn: We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline.
    3. Re:Remember one simple little fact by HBI · · Score: 1

      You head down to the 'save the rats' protest first - i'll meet you there.

      The check is in the mail, too.

      --
      HBI's Law: Frequency of calling others Nazis is directly correlated with the likelihood of the accuser being Communist.
    4. Re:Remember one simple little fact by Kozar_The_Malignant · · Score: 4, Insightful

      >somebody had to cut the spinal cords of those rats in the first place for the experiments... and then they were killed to examine the results

      Duh! They're RATS, not human beings. Without animal testing of drugs and surgical techniques, life would still be pretty damn medeival. If you want to go back to the days when people loved having hordes of rats in their dwellings and you got burned at the stake as a witch if you kept a cat, please do, but do it on some other continent from the one I live on.

      >Please remember this and ponder if the ends justify the means.

      It is good to keep this in mind, and I strongly oppose cruelty to animals, but in the case of biomedical research, the ends absolutely justify the means.
      --
      Some mornings it's hardly worth chewing through the restraints to get out of bed.
    5. Re:Remember one simple little fact by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      the ends absolutely justify the means

      Why? What gives humans the right to exploit other species like this? Instead, they should experiment on our own species (e.g., the comatose, mentally retarded, etc.). The results would be more relevant, too.

  13. Total body transplant by tsa · · Score: 1

    This is really cool! I want a new body (mine isn't working properly) and this could be a mayor step forward towards a total body transplant! You know, put my bran into someone elses body and the grow the severed spinal cords together again.

    --

    -- Cheers!

    1. Re:Total body transplant by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Then you'll be selected out of the gene pool like you should. Seriously, physical screwups like you are one of the main reasons each generation is getting weaker.

      Perhaps I'd allow you to have this treatment if you agreed to be sterilised.

  14. Other applications? by Alsee · · Score: 2, Funny

    Does this treatment work in the brain as well? Can it help Bush?

    -

    --
    - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  15. Diamond in the rough. by hung_himself · · Score: 1

    The approach seems sound - the results look reasonable and believable and it is published in a top-tier journal. Noone overstates their claims and, at least to these jaded eyes, it truly looks like it could be developed into something of real therapeutic value.

    It's a shame that a well-researched story be buried with all the sensationalist stuff. Being fairly new to /. - I wonder if there is a way to moderate stories up...?

  16. w0w - my first score 5 comment! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    That's totally sweet. I usually try to post a joke to the comments, but usually make stupid jokes and no one notices. Other times, I am too late, and the joke has already been posted by someone else. Finally I have my day thanks to this super rat joke.

    If an anonymous coward gets a 5-funny rating, they should rename him to 'hilarious coward'.

  17. Walking rats? by slashdotjunker · · Score: 1

    Rats can walk? Did I just wake up from a 100-year coma?