Mayo Clinic researchers Anthony Windebank, M.D. and Michael Yaszemski, M.D. Ph.D. recently revealed exciting developments, bringing hope to Waukegan spinal cord injury victims. 

Consequences of Illinois Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries often lead to loss of function below the injury site. This can result in partial paralysis, quadriplegia, or paraplegia, depending on the severity of the injury. In an exciting revelation, the research team has developed biotechnology that supports nerve generation. Thus far, they have successfully shown that nerves can regenerate in the spinal cord using animal test subjects.

Going forward, the next goals following the team’s initial successes will be to find ways to:

• – guide nerve terminals to make contact with the correct nerve ending
• – restore function to nerve fibers
• – develop greater understanding of the process which occurs between nerves, muscles, and the connecting junction during the action of breathing

The team is able to conduct its research due to a $1.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. Its successes are led by Dr. Windebabank, a researcher and expert in the mechanisms of peripheral nerve disease, and Dr. Yaszemski, a spinal surgeon and expert in engineering polymers. Following the promising results of the animal study, Dr. Windebank and Dr. Yaszemski hope to begin testing their developments using human volunteers within the next ten years.

For more information and a free legal advice about a spinal cord injury in Illinois or for a Waukegan spinal cord injury attorney, call Cullotta Law at 847-651-7191.