Spinal cord nerve damage can be reversed to an extent using electrical nerve stimulation

07/29/2015 - 00:06

Approximately 12,000 spinal cord injuries (SCI) happen every year in the U.S., the majority caused by car accidents, falls, sporting accidents and gunshot wounds. Better emergency care and therapy have made SCI manageable, but researchers continue to investigate approaches to make it repairable.

A new study in Journal of Neurophysiology reports that peripheral nerve stimulation therapy can reverse SCI-associated nerve deterioration, potentially improving the benefits of current and emerging rehabilitation treatments.

READ MORE ON AMERICAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY (APS)

Ref: Short-term peripheral nerve stimulation ameliorates axonal dysfunction after spinal cord injury. Journal of Neurophysiology, (2015) | DOI: 10.1152/jn.00839.2014