Every quarter, I tell my students that we’re getting closer and closer to helping people with spinal damage. It’s always nice to see support for this prediction. Christopher Reeve’s dream of helping paralyzed patients walk again, dramatized in a controversial 2000 Super Bowl ad, is getting closer.
We are starting to see the benefits of new treatments, particularly in the cases of people who are newly injured. Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett has astonished the medical and sports communities with his remarkable recovery from what looked like a potential life-ending injury. Granted, Everett will not play football again, but he is walking and regaining his physical health in a way that was probably inconceivable a very brief time ago. Everett’s physician, Andrew Capuccino, used a number of experimental and controversial methods, which he describes here.
One of the problems that we run into with central nervous system damage is the tendency for scar tissue to form in the injured area, effectively blocking the regrowth of nerve fibers. This problem is far less likely in the peripheral nervous system, allowing us to reattach severed limbs, and even transplant faces and hands. There would be no point whatsoever for doing these surgeries if the nervous system couldn’t make some connections with the new tissues.
Now, researchers at the University of Cambridge have identified a new enzyme, chondroitinase, that helps digest scar tissue enough to allow nerve fiber regrowth [1]. Although the enzyme has not yet been tested in the crucible of clinical trials, we continue to get closer and closer to the dream envisioned by Christopher Reeve.
1. Galtrey, C.M., Asher, R.A., Nothias, F., & Fawcett, J.W. (2007). Promoting plasticity in the spinal cord with chondroitinase improves functional recoveryafter peripheral nerve repair. Brain: advanced online publication.
6 Comments
biopsych · February 17, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Advancements in the medical/science community are enabling patients to live longer and more fulfilling lives. It is wonderful to hear that in the future people who are paralyzed will be able to walk again. Hopefully chondroitinase will be the solution to improving the lives of the countless number of people affected by paralysis.
jensoc07 · February 18, 2008 at 9:46 am
I watched a special on Everett’s surgery and the whole process of his injury and recovery and it was very interesting how the trainer decided to use a chemical that cooled the body temperature around the spinal cord so swelling would not put pressure on the area. It is crazy to think that he is walking around and he can toss a football and his whole recovery. If the chondroitinase works that will be a major breakthrough, but I hope that it does not have major side effects because we have that scar tissue for a reason.
rwest · February 18, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Medical breakthroughs recently are mind-boggling. Not only in the spinal feild but as you said in the peripheral nervous system as well. When I was in an accident in November 2006, I lost my right leg. I was a Cal Poly student at the time but I had to go on leave for obvious medical reasons. Much to my surprise, I was back at school with my new titanium/carbon fiber prosthetic leg in a matter of four months. I am just in awe about this and thinking about the amazing things they are doing for spinal injuries. I just have a hard time in understanding why these breakthroughs are so controversial. Why is helping people live a longer and more active life so controversial?
bldrysdale · February 20, 2008 at 9:53 am
It is wonderful that people are able to recover from such extreme injuries. It’s great that they could figure out a way to help them, but does digesting scar tissue for even a small amount of time have a negative affect. If they can help these people then great, but it would also be nice to know if it is harming them too. Our body gives us scar tissue for a reason, so getting rid of it might lead to damage. But since it’s momentary it might be fine. I’ve just confused myself, but I think I mean that I would like to know if there are any side affects to stopping the scar tissue from forming.
Laura Freberg · February 24, 2008 at 9:30 am
My guess is that the first few people to undergo clinical trials are going to need to be very brave. We probably won’t get it right the first time. But I think if that person were me, I’d consider not only the possibility of improving my own quality of life, but helping science do a better job with those who came after me.
Rwest–thanks for sharing such a courageous story. My hat is off to you.
ccallag · March 10, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Wow! I was truly inspired by this blog. Being a runner and active person in general I could not imagine what it would be like to not have the use of my legs or peripheral body parts. My heart goes out to the people who are paralyzed because I am truly admirable how they can still adapt and function. This article is wonderful in that we are so close in being able to fix problems that used to be irreversible.
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