Our Scientific Committee has recently approved four new grants. Each of these projects directly addresses our current focus on strategies designed to promote recovery of function from chronic spinal cord injuries.

Dr Liz Bradbury (pictured centre) – winner of the prestigious Schellenbergh Prize for Excellence in Research – read her interview here: The majority of human spinal cord injuries are incomplete and leave some axons intact. These axons are a prime target for treatment intervention, however, very little is known about them. The first aim of this project is to perform a detailed study of their properties – how many are there and how well do they work?; the second will be to assess the therapeutic potential of two promising experimental strategies (chondroitinase ABC and neuregulin-1) on restoring function in spared axons and promoting recovery of function. This understanding will be invaluable in designing therapeutic interventions.

Prof Mark Tuszynski – US project: This project will test a combined treatment strategy to promote spinal cord regeneration and bridging beyond sites of chronic spinal cord injury.

Prof Ann Logan:Patients with chronic lesions have axons amassed on either side of established scar tissue but no functional connections. Professor Logan’s research group aim to promote functional repair of the injured spinal cord using therapeutic proteins and gene therapy technology to stimulate growth of injured neurons through the scar. These studies will demonstrate it is possible to breakdown an established chronic scar, one of the major obstacles to repair, and reconnect spinal cord signal pathways and improved function.

Dr R M Ichiyama – New lab! Treadmill training has been shown to greatly improve walking in both experimental animals and humans after a spinal cord injury as it keeps the disconnected, but otherwise healthy spinal cord below the injury, in prime condition. In this project, the newly established group from Leeds University propose to unveil some of the fundamental questions surrounding the effects of treadmill training. Knowing such details will allow therapists and researchers to optimise treatment and rehabilitation protocols.