RESEARCH PROFILES

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Spinal Cord Regeneration Research

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By Mark H. Tuszynski, M.D., PhD
California laboratory, San Diego

Research in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Tuszynski at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is investigating the extent to which treatment of spinal cord-injured rats with nervous system growth factors enhances axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Approximately 50 different types of growth factors are known to exist in the brain and spinal cord. These different growth factors stimulate the survival and growth of different kinds of cells throughout the nervous system. In the last 10 years, Dr. Tuszynski and colleagues have determined which growth factors can elicit growth from the important motor and sensory systems that are affected by spinal cord lesions. This work culminated in the identification of two key growth factors, called “brain-derived neurotrophic factor” and “neurotrophin-3” as the most likely candidates to be useful in the treatment of SCI.

Subsequently, in studies led by Dr. Paul Lu (refer to page five for Dr. Lu’s story) in Dr. Tuszynski’s research group and with the financial support of the CSRO, it was found that combination therapies have a unique ability to magnify axonal growth after SCI.

The combination of growth factor therapy with administration of a molecule called “cyclic AMP” has resulted in axonal regeneration both into and beyond sites of SCI in rats. Dr. Lu, Dr. Tuszynski and their research group are now extending these studies to determine whether this type of strategy will also promote bridging regeneration of axons beyond the lesion site in chronic stages of SCI.

Given the progress of research in the field of SCI over the last 15 years, recently Dr. Tuszynski’s research group, in collaboration with scientists at other leading SCI research centers, have established primate models of partial SCI. The purpose of this research is to determine whether therapies that are effective in rat models of SCI are practical as potential human therapies. This work is in progress, testing the effectiveness of combined therapies in the most relevant model of human SCI.

Grants from the CSRO have been a key element in research progress in Dr. Tuszynski’s laboratory. Supporting both the effort of key researchers such as Dr. Lu, and the procurement of supplies to conduct animal studies, the CSRO has streamlined and accelerated efforts to find practical and useful therapies for SCI.

“First and foremost, there are no borders in research towards a cure for paralysis” notes Ray Wickson, Director of Research at the CSRO. “Dr. Tuszynski’s laboratory is on the leading edge of brain and spinal cord research. Their work is targeted and their goal is to find a cure for paralysis.