REGENERATION OF AXONS FROM CENTRAL NEURONS INTO MICROCHIPS AT THE LEVEL OF THE SPINAL-CORD

AXONS from central neurons can regenerate into the tissue matrix forme d within a silicone tube capped with two pieces of peripheral nerve, o ne of which had been sutured to a lesion in the spinal cord. Such axon s can grow through a transversely positioned microchip in the tube. Th ese observations suggest that it is feasible to establish functional c ontact between external electronic equipment and regenerating central nervous axons making it possible to monitor and control their electric al activity. The findings open new perspectives for restoration of mot or and sensory functions following spinal cord lesions. (C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.