• 20
  • February
    2012

Researchers at Purdue University's Center for Paralysis Research received a $1.5 million grant to further research into how a certain toxin affects the severity of spinal cord injury. One area of study for researchers is what happens in cases where an initial injury seems mild, then slowly intensifies and turns into complete paralysis.

Specifically, the scientists are looking at the toxin acrolein, which the body produces after nerve cells suffer damage and release oxygenated free radicals. This has the potential to damage lipids, proteins and DNA hours or days after the initial trauma to the spinal column. Researchers are hoping that by developing a further understanding of how the toxin works, they can reduce secondary damage to victims.

Lead researcher Riyi Shi has been studying spinal injury for over ten years, and he believes this research may lead to preventative care for spinal injury victims by halting this second wave of potential injury by suppressing the toxin acrolein. "It is possible that we might not only be able to treat the secondary injury, but if we intervene early enough we might be able to actually prevent it," he told university reporters.

The researchers believe acrolein may also have contributory roles in other chronic diseases and injury, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, cancer and atherosclerosis.

Doehrman Chamberlain - Indianapolis injury attorneys