Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Northwestern University have recently developed an implantable, biodegradable device that sends regular electrical impulses to damaged peripheral nerves in rats to help speed the regenerating process along. The device also helps the rats recover their nerve function and muscle strength more quickly.
For most people with peripheral nerve damage doctors suggest painkillers and physical therapy, but in severe cases surgery may be required. Doctors know that electrical stimulation during surgery is beneficial but once the surgery is over the window for intervening is over as well. With this device they have shown that electrical stimulation administered on a regular basis further enhances nerve recovery.
Electrical stimulation triggers the release of growth-promoting proteins which boost nerve cells' natural abilities and help them regrow faster and more completely. Until this device, doctors have lacked the ability to continuously provide this added boost.
The device works by it wraps around the injured nerve and delivers electrical impulses for days before it is broken down and harmlessly degrades in the body. The device is powered wirelessly by a transmitter outside of the body.
The device was tested on rats who had damaged sciatic nerves, nerves that run up and down the legs and controls the hamstrings and muscles of the lower legs and feet. They provided the rats with electrical stimulation for one hour for one, three or six days, or no stimulation at all. All of the rats that were provided with some electrical stimulation were better off than the rats who received none but the rats who received the most days of electrical stimulation recovered their nerve signaling and muscle strength more quickly and thoroughly.
Scientists now are further researching changing the components of the device so that it can last longer than a few days before degrading.
Posted by Danielle Bermingham (1)
I think that this is extremely vital in helping those who have been struggling to regain strength or even mobility after accidents or injuries! So would these patients have the electrical stimulator with them for the rest of their lives or would it be removed after a certain period of time? Also do you know if this procedure has been performed on human yet?
ReplyDeletePosted by: Katarzyna Mosio
I agree! I do not think they would have it for the rest of their lives, only until the nerves grow back to the best of their ability to do so. Unfortunately no it has not been tested on humans yet but they are in the process of trying!
DeletePosted by Danielle Bermingham (1)
We know that the most complex and hard to manage and cure is the nervous system because of its delicate needs and hard regeneration. After this article i was impressed by this device that can at least accelerate the regeneration of a nerve if there is still one able to do it. I wonder how big the nerve should be in order to be able to place the device. My friend had recently an injury to his nerve and had paralysis, i will bring this up to see if doctors are using it.
ReplyDeletePosted by Jad Imad
Yes it has always been a mystery scientists have never been able to solve. I'm not sure if there is a specific size for the nerve because it did not say. I feel as though if it worked in rats who are smaller in general than the size of the nerve does not matter. It has not been tested in humans yet so I do not think that the doctors would be able to use it in his case. I hope he is okay though!
DeletePosted by Danielle Bermingham (1)
This is definitely a breakthrough in developing ways of providing relief to patients who have damaged peripheral nerves. One question is that since it normally takes months for the nerves to heal would having this implant in for a few days improve the nerve that drastically and quickly or do you think humans would require the implant to remain in them for a longer period of time. This also will improve the lives of so many people affected by a range of injuries and hopefully will provide more insight and knowledge into the world of nerves and how to heal or regenerate them.
ReplyDelete-Maddie Powers
It is definitely a breakthrough. I think that humans would need the implant for a longer period of time, but I also think it depends on the extensiveness of the injury. The usual problem and why it takes months is because they do not receive electrical stimulation unless they undergo surgery, so I do not think it would take as long as it normally does with just physical therapy. It will definitely improve the lives of people suffering from nerve damage. I also think it could help provide more insight to the baffling nervous system of the human body.
DeletePosted by Danielle Bermingham (1)
Have they found any places in the body where this device is not functioning as it should?
ReplyDeletePosted by "Lauren Hiller"