Neuroscience at The University of Birmingham

CNS Trauma

Introduction

Head and spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis is a devastating clinical problem in the developed world. It strikes our youngest people the hardest two thirds of all injuries occur in the under 30 age group. Damaged central nervous system (CNS) nerves cannot regenerate. At present there are no clinical therapies available to promote reconnection of severed neuronal pathways and restoration of function. However, it has become clear that CNS nerves are not innately incapable of regeneration after injury. It is the CNS environment that limits nerve growth and, given a permissive environment, nerves of the brain and spinal cord can make good attempts at regrowth. Hence, there are now extensive programmes of basic and clinical research directed towards changing the environment of the CNS wound into one which promotes regeneration and facilitates functional repair.

Groups at the University of Birmingham

Dr Ann Logan

Other Sites

If you are looking for clinical advice one of the following links may help; we regret we cannot provide advice from this site.

National Head Injuries Association - "Headway" (UK)