University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers have shown that stem cells can rebuild nerves in mice. Stem cells obtained from human muscle tissue repaired nerve damage and restored function in cases of sciatic nerve injury.
“Even 12 weeks after the injury, the regenerated sciatic nerve looked and behaved like a normal nerve,” according to Drs. Huard and Lavasani.
“This approach has great potential for not only acute nerve injury, but also conditions of chronic damage, such as diabetic neuropathy and multiple sclerosis.”
Ref: March 20th 2014 Journal of Clinical Investigation