Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative

[nige]

originally posted by forum

Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative

Recently there was a Research Seminar conducted by the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative Group held in the Conference Rooms of the Telstra Conference centre in Melbourne. There were 2 presenters that gave summaries of the work concerning Spinal Cord Injury that they are involved in:

Professor Norman Saunders talked about the complex molecular changes that follow a spinal cord injury. However, it has been possible to identify novel gene targets (including some previously unknown genes) for therapeutic intervention. The finding of a long-term increase in blood-brain and blood-spinal cord barrier permeability increase provides a possible opportunity to deliver neuroprotectants to damaged areas of the brain and spinal cord. Since small neurotoxic molecules may be entering the injured brain and spinal cord much longer than previously thought. A research group with comprehensive expertise in research into secondary injury following brain or spinal cord injury has been established, in addition to work on the specific research project supported by VNI. This group provides the neurotrauma community with the effective therapies for neurotrauma. Novel gene targets have been identified which will lead to development of new potential therapies for traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, although it will take some years to evaluate such developments to the point where they can be tested in patients.

Dr Peter Batchelor talked about Regeneration of the injured spinal cord following spinal cord injury. Severed axons do not regenerate and recovery is generally very limited. The reasons why axonal regeneration fails are surprisingly complex. In this presentation the nature and consequences of spinal cord injury was briefly reviewed. The results of research into the mechanism behind the limited axonal growth that occurs following injury was outlined. New data on ways to stimulate growth and regeneration of the principle motor pathway in humans (the corticospinal tract) was also discussed.