Electrifying nerve growth

Researchers have known for some time that electrical fields can promote and guide the growth of nerve cells. Dr. Zochodne and his team are trying to develop an implantable nerve regeneration "tube" - an artificial structure covered in electrodes that could be implanted at a nerve injury site. The tube would then electrically stimulate the neighbouring damaged nerve cells to grow towards each other and re-form connections.

While it's not known exactly how electrical fields guide nerve cell growth, Dr. Zochodne and his colleagues are investigating several possibilities. For example, the electrical fields could be stimulating the production of a growth factor known as BDNF, which may be an important key to making nerve cells grow. The researchers have also designed a microchip that can electrically stimulate isolated nerve cells. This microchip and the BDNF research are important steps towards creating an implantable regeneration tube to heal damaged nerves.