dogs' nose nerve cells(OEG) to help humans - Australian study

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From BBC.co.uk

Dog study 'could help paralysed'

A treatment that appears to have helped paralysed dogs could also

benefit people, research suggests. Veterinary surgeons from the

University of Cambridge, UK, have treated nine dogs, some of whom

appeared to be better able to walk in treadmill tests.

The treatment takes nerve cells from the brain and injects them into

the damaged part of the spinal cord.

An expert from the Institute of Neurology said he believed the same

benefits could be seen in humans.

These findings in dogs are directly relevant to the human situation

An Australian team has already treated humans with OEG cells, but the

results will not be published until 2007.

The UK researchers studied dogs which had been paralysed in road

accidents, or through spinal cord injuries. All had been unable to

move for at least three months.

The treatment uses olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) cells, which are

present at the back of the nose. They are the only nerve cells

capable of constant regeneration. The cells were collected by opening

the dogs' skulls. They were then multiplied in the lab, and injected

into the spinal cord.

In addition to regaining some movement, one dog appeared to recover

some sensation below the injury site. Owners of three of the dogs

also report their animals seem to be aware when they need to empty

their bladder, although they have not regained actual control.

However, the researchers caution this could be due to those dogs

retaining some abdominal sensation. The researchers say there is no

indication the dogs can feel pain again but, by the same token, they

do not appear to be suffering pain from a severed nerve - a potential

side effect of the treatment.

The team are looking for an alternative source of OEG cells as three

of the dogs have suffered seizures, which may have been due to the

surgery they underwent.

They have identified a form of stem cell found in mucosa - the

cellular lining - of the nose, which it might be possible to turn

into OEGs in the lab. They, and the team of researchers in Australia,

are investigating if this will be an effective way of creating the

cells. Scientists are looking at a number of ways to help people who

are paralysed regain some movement.

Another study, published in December last year, showed a chemical

called PEG, which is injected within 48 hours, appeared to boost

recovery.

Nick Jeffery, who worked on the University of Cambridge research,

said " It is exceedingly improbable that one simple intervention alone

will permit full recovery of locomotor activity [movement] after this

type of extremely severe spinal injury. "

Geoffrey Raisman, of the Institute of Neurology, told New

Scientist: " These findings in dogs are directly relevant to the human

situation. " Of course, we can't know for sure without doing the work,

but it is a very good indicator that we can expect the same

effects. " We are hoping to start similar trials in humans within a

couple of years. "