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Paralyzed Rats Walk Again

(9)Sep-20-09

Apparently, the regeneration of severed nerve fibers is not required for paraplegic rats to learn to walk again.

"The spinal cord contains nerve circuits that can generate rhythmic activity without input from the brain to drive the hind leg muscles in a way that resembles walking called 'stepping,'" explained principal investigator Reggie Edgerton.

Rats with complete spinal injuries that left no voluntary movement in their hind legs were tested. After setting the paralyzed rats on a moving treadmill belt, the scientists administered drugs that act on the neurotransmitter serotonin and applied low levels of electrical currents to the spinal cord below the point of injury.

The combination of stimulation and sensation derived from the rats' limbs moving on a treadmill belt triggered the spinal rhythm-generating circuitry and prompted walking motion in the rats' paralyzed hind legs.

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[PHYSORG.COM]

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