Researchers from the University of Alberta have discovered that creating a mild inflammatory response improved a rat’s ability to relearn how to pick up pellets months after a spinal cord injury.<\/p>\n
“Time is of the essence,” explained lead researcher Karim Fouad. “It’s usually impossible at the early stages to train at a high enough intensity to regain motor functions. If patients can’t work on recovering those skills effectively, those skills are lost forever and cannot be regained.<\/p>\n
In order to develop a clinically relevant approach to modulate inflammation, Fouad’s research team is currently exploring which specific aspect of inflammation is key to nervous system rewiring.<\/p>\n