Bias erodes translational value in animal spinal cord injury studies

An analysis led by researchers from The Ohio State University College of Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that bias in the design and reporting of spinal cord injury (SCI) studies in animals results in overestimation of the effectiveness of a potential treatment to prevent infections in human patients with SCI. The research findings are published […]

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Next-generation ALS drug silences inherited form of the disease in animal models

NIH-funded researchers delayed signs of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in rodents by injecting them with a second-generation drug designed to silence the gene, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1). The results, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggest the newer version of the drug may be effective at treating an inherited form of the disease caused by mutations in SOD1. Currently, […]

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A hydrogel restores breathing after spinal cord injury in animal models

One of the most severe outcomes of spinal cord injury from car accidents, sports impacts, or other neck trauma, is losing the ability to control breathing, with patients often requiring artificial ventilation for the rest of their lives. Researchers at Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) recently tested a hydrogel that releases a nerve-protecting agent at the site of […]

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Possible new treatment for spinal cord injuries identified in animal studies

An experimental drug has shown promise as a potential therapy for spinal cord injuries in animal studies. The compound, 4-aminopyridine-3-methanol, works in a similar way as a drug previously developed at Purdue, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat multiple sclerosis. Dr. Riyi Shi, professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, […]

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