Nerve Cell RegenerationNerve Cell Regeneration

Heather Wilson and Alicia DiCola

Nerve CellNerve Cell

The function of a neuron is to communicate information, which it does by two methods. Electric signals process and conduct information within a cell, while chemical signals transmit information between cells.

Nerve cells control sensations in the body and other functions such as help to store memory in the brain.

Degenerative Diseases:Degenerative Diseases:Cause of Brain DamageCause of Brain Damage

A Degenerative disease is a disease in which the function or structure of the affected tissues or organs will progressively deteriorate over time, whether due to normal bodily wear or lifestyle choices such as exercise or eating habits.

Nerve regeneration is being researched to help restore function to patients suffering from degenerative diseases.

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative and terminal disease; The cause and progression of Alzheimer's disease is not well understood, but is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain: 24 million people are afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease

Huntington’s disease: is a rare genetic neurological disorder inherited by approximately 3 to 7 per 100,000 people of Western European descent

Parkinson’s Disease is a result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The four primary symptoms of PD are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination

Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s DiseaseBrain DegenerationBrain Degeneration

Nerve Cells In The BrainNerve Cells In The Brain

Neural Tangles In The Brain Neural Tangles In The Brain

What Is Nerve Regeneration?What Is Nerve Regeneration?

Renewal or physiological repair of damaged tissue in any part of the nervous system.

Replacement of damaged cells and restoration of function can be accomplished by transplantation of cells derived from different sources, such as human foetal tissue, genetically modified cell lines, embryonic or somatic stem cells. Preclinical and clinical trials have shown promising results in neurodegenerative disorders, like Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, but also ischaemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage, demyelinating disorders, epilepsy and traumatic lesions of the brain and spinal cord. Other studies have focused on finding new ways to activate and direct endogenous repair mechanisms in the CNS, eg, by exposure to specific neuronal growth factors or by inactivating inhibitory molecules.

Regenerated Nerve CellsRegenerated Nerve Cells

Types of Nerve DamageTypes of Nerve Damage

Types of Nerve RegenerationTypes of Nerve Regeneration

Microchip Implant

Biodegradable Implant

Stem Cell Cloning

Gene Manipulation

Possible Benefits Possible Benefits of Nerve Regeneration:of Nerve Regeneration:

Repaired ability to function

Re-growth of healthy nerves

Re-gain function: neurologically in brain and body nerve cells

Possible cure for many degenerative diseases such as Parkinsons, Huntingtons, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Possible cure for spinal cord injuries and brain damage

Nerve Regeneration is Nerve Regeneration is (going to be) (going to be)Amazing!!!Amazing!!!

“Regeneration is going to be the future of medicine,” said Robert Peattie, an associate professor of chemical engineering at OSU. “It may take 10 or 20 years to get there, but

the ultimate goal is to help the body fix itself, and tissue growth is the first step in

that process.”

Microchip TechniqueMicrochip Technique

Western Canada Regeneration Initiative

Already implanted tiny silicon rods into trauma patients called “regeneration tubes” to direct injured nerve cells to grow in the right directions

By using electric currents emitted through microchips implanted in the regeneration tubes they hope to direct injured nerve cells to grow in the right directions and to speed up the regeneration

Patients may one day be helped by new microchip technology that will allow doctors to repair and regenerate nerves that have been ravaged by injury or disease.

Stem Cell TechniqueStem Cell Technique

Clones of healthy human brain cells are being used in experiments to repair and re-create damaged nerve cells

Transplanted these cells into mice and have shown that the implants replace missing or deficient brain cells.

Besides replacing missing or faulty genes, stem-cell transplants might be used to boost the performance of genes needed to regrow nerves after injuries or replace cells due to diseases

Biodegradable Implant TechniqueBiodegradable Implant Technique

Research by Georgia Tech, Emory University, the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering

Use a biodegradable polymer containing a chemical that mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to spur the growth of neurites, which form the connections between neurons.

The polymers would guide the growth of the regenerating nerve.

Ultimate goal is to create a conduit for nerve regeneration that guides the neurons to regenerate, but gradually degrades so that it won’t constrict the nerves permanently

Negative effects Negative effects of nerve regeneration:of nerve regeneration:

Pain Tangled neurons Appetite suppression Muscle aches Weight loss Increased pain perception High cost of procedure Risk of death or paralization etc.

How does nerve regeneration How does nerve regeneration relate to psychology?relate to psychology?

Is Nerve Regeneration Ethical?Is Nerve Regeneration Ethical?