Medical Minute: Spinal Cord Injuries

In this week’s Medical Minute, Dr. Joseph Hobbs, Chair Emeritus of the Department of Family Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, discusses new developments in “cell reprogramming”, that could help patients recover from spinal cord injuries which lead to permanent paralysis in the past. 

Spinal cord injuries can result in total or partial paralysis. Now scientists have evidence that cell “reprogramming” can help make new neurons available to reestablish those lost connections. The molecule “NeuroD1” is a transcription factor. During our development, it helps ensure stem cells become neurons that land in the right place. In the lab, scientists are packaging NeuroD1 with a tiny RNA, called a “microRNA,” that also aids the formation of neurons during development. This includes including helping ensure a healthy balance of neurons that excite and inhibit brain activity. Within the narrow confines of an injured spinal cord, they think delivering this package can reprogram another brain cell type, which normally supports neurons, into new neurons that can work around the injury site.

The Medical Minute airs at 8:18 a.m., 1:20 p.m. and 5:18 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday on the 17 GPB radio stations across Georgia. For more Medical Minute episodes, visit the Medical Minute 2020 SoundCloud page.