Spinal injury breakthrough

Spectrum | 27.04.2010 | 17:30
Spinal injury breakthrough
In the future, spinal injuries might be stopped by an injection in the ambulance.
Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: In the future, spinal injuries might be stopped by an injection in the ambulance.
New research suggests that shutting off a single gene can help stop the cascade of damage that can paralyze people with spinal injuries. Dr Marc Simard of the University of Maryland is currently working on a drug which has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of spinal injuries, stroke and brain hemorrhage.


Simard's drug is being developed in association with Remedy Pharmaceuticals. It works by combining a generic diabetes drug with a gene silencing technique.



Interview: Kate Laycock