Helping Spinal Cords Heal

What this episode covers

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DVMhrgcjtgO/Neuroscientists at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center report that the neural support cell, the astrocyte, plays a crucial role in spinal cord healing following injury.  The publish their preclinical mouse study in the journal Nature.The astrocyte senses a cord injury whether near or far and releases a protein signal known as CCN1. CCN1 then activates the nervous system’s vacuum cleaner, the microglial cell, which effectively digests post-injury fatty debris left when damaged nerve sheaths deteriorate. If this debris remains, it can inhibit proper healing and functional return.These mouse experiments demonstrate that, when the CCN1 signal is active, debris is cleared more efficiently and healing improves. When CCN1 is removed, debris builds up, inflammation spreads, and recovery is worse. These same repair signals and the processes they activate are also seen in human spinal cord tissue. This opens the door for a biochemical enhancement of spinal cord healing that will yield more normal function……someday soon.https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260212234218.htmhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09887-y#spinalcord #injury #astrocyte #ccn1

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