Transcript Neural Regeneration

Nerve Cell Regeneration
Heather Wilson and Alicia DiCola
Nerve Cell
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The function of a neuron is
to communicate information,
which it does by two
methods. Electric signals
process and conduct
information within a cell,
while chemical signals
transmit information
between cells.
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Nerve cells control
sensations in the body and
other functions such as help
to store memory in the brain.
Degenerative Diseases:
Cause of Brain Damage
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A Degenerative disease is a disease in which the function or structure of the
affected tissues or organs will progressively deteriorate over time, whether due
to normal bodily wear or lifestyle choices such as exercise or eating habits.
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Nerve regeneration is being researched to help restore function to patients
suffering from degenerative diseases.
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Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative and terminal disease; The cause and
progression of Alzheimer's disease is not well understood, but is associated
with plaques and tangles in the brain: 24 million people are afflicted with
Alzheimer’s Disease
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Huntington’s disease: is a rare genetic neurological disorder inherited by
approximately 3 to 7 per 100,000 people of Western European descent
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Parkinson’s Disease is a result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells.
The four primary symptoms of PD are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms,
legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia,
or slowness of movement; and postural instability, or impaired balance and
coordination
Alzheimer’s Disease
Brain Degeneration
Nerve Cells In The Brain
Neural Tangles In The Brain
What Is Nerve Regeneration?
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Renewal or physiological repair of damaged tissue in any part of the
nervous system.
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Replacement of damaged cells and restoration of function can be
accomplished by transplantation of cells derived from different
sources, such as human foetal tissue, genetically modified cell lines,
embryonic or somatic stem cells. Preclinical and clinical trials have
shown promising results in neurodegenerative disorders, like
Parkinson's and Huntington's disease, but also ischaemic stroke,
intracerebral haemorrhage, demyelinating disorders, epilepsy and
traumatic lesions of the brain and spinal cord. Other studies have
focused on finding new ways to activate and direct endogenous repair
mechanisms in the CNS, eg, by exposure to specific neuronal growth
factors or by inactivating inhibitory molecules.
Regenerated Nerve Cells
Types of Nerve Damage
Types of Nerve Regeneration
Microchip Implant
Biodegradable Implant
Stem Cell Cloning
Gene Manipulation
Possible Benefits
of Nerve Regeneration:
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Repaired ability to function
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Re-growth of healthy nerves
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Re-gain function: neurologically in brain and body nerve
cells
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Possible cure for many degenerative diseases such as
Parkinsons, Huntingtons, and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Possible cure for spinal cord injuries and brain damage
Nerve Regeneration is
(going to be)
Amazing!!!
“Regeneration is going to be the future of
medicine,” said Robert Peattie, an associate
professor of chemical engineering at OSU.
“It may take 10 or 20 years to get there, but
the ultimate goal is to help the body fix
itself, and tissue growth is the first step in
that process.”
Microchip Technique
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Western Canada Regeneration Initiative
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Already implanted tiny silicon rods into trauma patients
called “regeneration tubes” to direct injured nerve cells to
grow in the right directions
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By using electric currents emitted through microchips
implanted in the regeneration tubes they hope to direct
injured nerve cells to grow in the right directions and to
speed up the regeneration
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Patients may one day be helped by new microchip
technology that will allow doctors to repair and regenerate
nerves that have been ravaged by injury or disease.
Stem Cell Technique

Clones of healthy human brain cells are being
used in experiments to repair and re-create
damaged nerve cells
 Transplanted these cells into mice and have shown
that the implants replace missing or deficient brain
cells.
 Besides replacing missing or faulty genes, stemcell transplants might be used to boost the
performance of genes needed to regrow nerves
after injuries or replace cells due to diseases
Biodegradable Implant Technique
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Research by Georgia Tech, Emory University, the National Science
Foundation and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering
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Use a biodegradable polymer containing a chemical that mimics the
neurotransmitter acetylcholine to spur the growth of neurites, which
form the connections between neurons.
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The polymers would guide the growth of the regenerating nerve.
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Ultimate goal is to create a conduit for nerve regeneration that guides
the neurons to regenerate, but gradually degrades so that it won’t
constrict the nerves permanently
Negative effects
of nerve regeneration:
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Pain
Tangled neurons
Appetite suppression
Muscle aches
Weight loss
Increased pain perception
High cost of procedure
Risk of death or paralization etc.
How does nerve regeneration
relate to psychology?
Is Nerve Regeneration Ethical?