Rodent Spinal Cords Get Stem Cell Fix

Our friends at Forbes.com have published a story about Johns Hopkins scientists who healed the damaged spinal cords of mice using stem cells. Many rodents have been cured of paralysis with various types of stem cells, but this experiment is significant because the stem cells were coaxed into becoming nerve cells, which in turn made functional connections to muscle -- which I dare say is a first.

In the end, this complex biochemical "recipe" worked, the Hopkins team reported.

Of the more than 4,100 new motor neurons created in one mouse's spinal cord, about 200 exited the cord and 120 found their way to skeletal muscle. These new connections looked identical under the microscope to those seen in healthy mice, the researchers said.

What's more, 11 of the 15 treated, previously paralyzed mice began to regain muscle strength and function and were more mobile in their cages.

However, this restoration of function did not occur when the researchers left out even one of the ingredients from the mix.

According to Kerr, his team has simply tried to recreate the environment that directs neural formation early in fetal development.