Organoid study finds potential to reverse nerve damage
The Story
University of Cambridge researchers created miniature brain and spinal cord organoids and discovered that human neurons lose their ability to regrow after damage during development. The team identified a gene network controlling this process and found that an existing hormone drug, lynestrenol, significantly boosted nerve fiber regrowth in lab tests.
Key Facts
- Cambridge researchers built miniature brain-and-spinal-cord systems in the lab that can send signals and trigger tiny muscle contractions.
- The team discovered that until about day 150 of development, damaged axons could still regrow; after that point, neurons showed a major decline in regenerative ability.
- A network of genes acts like a biological switch limiting axon growth as neurons mature and form synapses.
- Blocking key regulators within this network allowed neurons to regain the ability to grow axons.
- The drug lynestrenol, approved for certain menstrual disorders and contraceptive use, significantly improved axon regrowth when tested on damaged neurons.
- The study was published in Cell Reports and funded by the UK Research and Innovation Medical Research Council and Spinal Research.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
Whether the strategy will help re-establish appropriate connections between brain and spinal cord cells after injury.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Dr. András Lakatos, senior author, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge
- George Gibbons, first author, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge
Sources: ScienceDaily
