Boston University School of Medicine researchers found a new regeneration pathway of central nervous system brain cells in a roundworm, C. elegans, according to ScienceDaily.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published the findings.
Here are five observations:
1. The regeneration pathway is associated with neuron growth as animals develop.
2. Researchers cut neurons with a pulsed laser and measured the regenerative outgrowth.
3. The neurons didn't regenerate following surgery, but in worms with specific genetic defects, significant regeneration occurred. Additionally, if the researchers cut two different fibers of one neuron, regeneration occurred.
4. Next, they plan to find out which genes cause the regeneration.
5. Researchers hope their findings will aid research of regeneration in humans with spinal cord injury.