New Implant for Rats Gives a Good Indicator for the Future of Electrical Therapy- Daniel Devine

Pulses of electrical stimulation help heal injured nerves, research is displayed that shows a possible method of healing for these peripheral nerve injuries. Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Northwestern University have created a biodegradable implant that delivers pulses of electrical energy to injured nerves in rats, allowing the rats to heal nerves in their legs. The device is approximately the size of a quarter and only stays in the body for two weeks before being completely dissolved. John Rogers, a PhD of Northwestern and some associates created a device that wraps around a damaged nerve and gives pulses of energy for a few days until the device dissolves into the body harmlessly. The device is powered by a wireless transmitter outside the body that is similar to a cell phone charging mat. The researchers used the device to give electrical stimulation for one hour a day to the rats for either one, three or six days, or even no stimulation at all. They then the rat’s recovery for the following 10 weeks. Any stimulation was better than no stimulation at all at helping the rats to regain muscle mass and strength. The researchers also found that the more days of stimulation they gave the rats, the faster they recovered muscle strength.

While this may be all of the available research that has been presented in this article, there is research still occurring with scientists attempting to unlock the full potential of electrical nerve repair and a great effort to make the transition from rats to humans. When this research is complete, millions of people with nerve injuries will be able to heal much faster than before. While this is incredible, there are even more benefits to this research, that being the boost in research funding that would come with this kind of treatment. There is a visible need for this device to be compatible with humans and if these researchers develop this treatment enough as to where it is able to work on a human in an effective and noticeable manner, then more funding will go into the research department which would allow more availability for these great minds to research other kinds of technology. This idea supports the purpose of the article in question as well, showing that there needs to be an effort to get the word out about this research and its need for funding, making an article about the progress of research a way to do this. Another thing that this research does is allow scientists to question whether or not this kind of treatment could have other applications, such as repairing neurons in the brain or spinal nerves.

Link to Article- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/10/181008114558.htm