Project

Direct in vivo reprogramming of host astrocytes into functional neurons in the injured spinal cord

Year: 2019

Loss of neurons and networks after neurotrauma is considered irreversible, leading to significant functional impairment. Most therapies trialed for spinal cord injury (SCI) in humans have met with little or no success. The potential of generating new neurons to replace dead ones, and potentially initiate some form of circuit reconstruction, is a holy grail of restorative neurology, with obvious potential benefit to patients. In vivo reprogramming in the spinal cord is a new technology, but holds great promise. We are currently investigating this approach to treat spinal cord stroke. We will extend these studies to clinically relevant models of SCI.