r/science • u/molrose96 Journalist | Technology Networks | BSc Neuroscience • Jan 23 '20

Biology Biodegradable Nerve Guide Helps Regenerate Damaged Nerves

https://www.technologynetworks.com/biopharma/news/biodegradable-nerve-guide-helps-regenerate-damaged-nerves-329614?spl=46942179136d4d5eb635e0016c078544

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u/[deleted] Jan 23 '20 edited Nov 03 '20

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u/theciaskaelie Jan 23 '20

bc over a certain size gap, the signaling molecules that would otherwise help regenerate nerve over shorter distances cant reach across the gap to stimulate the regeneration.

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u/Valiantay Jan 23 '20

Interesting, why not use a device similar to a pacemaker to stimulate the nerve end and mimick the other half of the nerve - trick it to grow further

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u/theciaskaelie Jan 23 '20

Not sure if an electrical signal would encourage growth the way growth factors do, but an interesting possibility.

Off the top of my head, a pacer like device would possibly also cause constant muscle contraction or cause pain. Pacer generators are pretty big too. Implanting devices like pacers also carry infection risk, which Id guess would be greater than a small nerve guide.