Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2016, Vol. 11 ›› Issue (2): 217-219.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.177716

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Polyethylene glycol-fusion retards Wallerian degeneration and rapidly restores behaviors lost after nerve severance

George D. Bittner , Michelle Mikesh, Cameron L. Ghergherehchi   

  1. Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
  • Received:2016-02-15 Online:2016-02-15 Published:2016-02-15
  • Contact: George D. Bittner, Ph.D.,bittner@austin.utexas.edu.
  • Supported by:

    This study was supported by grants from the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation and an NIH grant R01 NS081063 to GDB.

Abstract:

While the specific mechanisms responsible for retarding Wallerian degeneration and rapidly restoring behaviors lost after complete axonal severance of peripheral nerves are not yet known, PEG-fusion may translate well to clinical procedures since all drugs are benign, readily available, and are already FDA-approved for human use. Successful allograft repair suggests that tissue banks might consider the inclusion of donor nerve tissue alongside donor corneas, livers, hearts, etc. This PEG-fusion technology developed to restore many behaviors lost after peripheral nerve severance or ablation has also recently been reported to restore many behaviors lost after spinal contusion injuries.