King's College London researchers discovered a molecule that aids broken spinal cord healing, according to heraldscotland.
Here are five observations:
1. The molecule, neuregulin-1, delivers signals from damaged nerve fibers.
2. Neuregulin-1 is involved in "spontaneous remyelination," which reconstructs the myelin sheath around nerve fibers. Myelin allows the transmission of nerve signals along the spinal cord.
3. The study found neuregulin-1 became a molecular switch in tested mice, allowing the spinal cord cells to establish their own remyelinating ability.
4. Researchers noted their findings enhance the understanding of the molecular mechanisms at play in a body's natural repair process.
5. The researchers concluded the molecule could help with future therapies for self-repair of spinal cords. They suggest further testing of how enhanced levels of neuregulin-1 would improve outcomes after spinal cord injury.