New Strides In Paralysis Research

Event Date: June 22, 2005
When the spinal cord is injured, the problem is not just the injury itself but tissue damage that occurs after the initial injury. Researchers with Purdue's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Veterinary Medicine appear to have isolated the major cause of the tissue damage, Acrolein. Produced naturally by the body, it is benign at normal levels but becomes toxic as its concentration increases. While this identification is not a cure, it does offer promising avenues for further research and the exploration of potential treatment options to reduce or eliminate secondary damage. Led by Dr. Riyi Shi, an Associate Professor in Neuroscience and in Biomedical Engineering, the team includes student Jian Luo and Nagoya University student Koji Uchida. Dr. Shi also works with Dr. Richard Borgens on the development of PEG, used to help the membranes of spinal cells heal after an injury. The news release from Purdue's University News Service provides more information, and additional coverage can be found at the Lafayette Journal & Courier.

2005-06-22 08:00:00 2005-06-22 17:00:00 America/Indiana/Indianapolis New Strides In Paralysis Research When the spinal cord is injured, the problem is not just the injury itself but tissue damage that occurs after the initial injury. Researchers with Purdue's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and the School of Veterinary Medicine appear to have isolated the major cause of the tissue damage, Acrolein. Produced naturally by the body, it is benign at normal levels but becomes toxic as its concentration increases. While this identification is not a cure, it does offer promising avenues for further research and the exploration of potential treatment options to reduce or eliminate secondary damage. Led by Dr. Riyi Shi, an Associate Professor in Neuroscience and in Biomedical Engineering, the team includes student Jian Luo and Nagoya University student Koji Uchida. Dr. Shi also works with Dr. Richard Borgens on the development of PEG, used to help the membranes of spinal cells heal after an injury. The news release from Purdue's University News Service provides more information, and additional coverage can be found at the Lafayette Journal & Courier. Purdue University