Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Neurotransmitters in biopolymers stimulate nerve regeneration

Source: Georgia Institute of Technology
Date: December 11, 2007

Summary:

Research reported December 11 in the journal Advanced Materials describes a potentially promising strategy for encouraging the regeneration of damaged central nervous system cells known as neurons. The technique would use a biodegradable polymer containing a chemical group that mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to spur the growth of neurites, which are projections that form the connections among neurons and between neurons and other cells. The biomimetic polymers would then guide the growth of the regenerating nerve.