Paralysis Center researches
dogs
By Ian Clift
Summer Reporter
Dogs and paralysis victims may be helped by trials
being conducted at the Center for Paralysis Research.
Trials that attempt to restore function to paralyzed
dogs have begun and technicians with the center are looking for dogs
that have received a naturally occurring disk rupture to participate
in the study.
Dog studies must be done preceding human studies.
"We have a very good idea that this will work with humans," said Brad
Duerstock, a postdoctoral research associate with the center, "and if
these trials work out then that's the next step."
Researchers are testing the chemical polyethylene
glycol, which has previously been used to fuse cells together in order
to create hybrid cells.
"We've taken the idea and applied it in a novel
way to nerve cells that have been injured," Duerstock said.
"We have an evolutionary chain," he said, starting
with laboratory animals where procedures were tested for efficiency,
dosage and best time window. Crystyn Ruth, laboratory animal technician
with the center, said, "If we can restore the membrane integrity (in
the damaged nerve cells) then we can keep the cell from dying."
Polyethylene glycol works on the membrane of nerve
cells by sealing damage caused to it by it by injury. Duerstock said,
"If the axon, (an extension from the nerve cell body,) is damaged down
stream from the cell body we have a chance to save the cell. If it's
too close there is no hope."
"In some regards the nervous system is very fragile,"
he said, but "the body can withstand a considerable amount of injury."
The center accepts dogs with disk ruptures because
in dogs, these ruptures cause paralysis and because other types of paralysis
may include other injury. Ruth said, "A lot of times their injuries
can be variable. Dogs (injured in accidents) can have other injuries
so they don't make ideal candidates for this study."
If owners are having trouble with their pets, Ruth
recommends bringing them to a veterinarian first. And if the injury
is found to be a ruptured disk then inform the veterinarian about the
study and have the vet contact the small animal teaching hospital.
Dogs accepted for the study must be between two
to eight years old and under 40 pounds. Purdue veterinarians must see
the dog within 48 hours of the injury and the injury must have a naturally
occurring ruptured disk.
"The beauty of the study," said Ruth, "is the center
funds the study, so if dogs meet the criteria we will pay either 1/3
or all the costs associated."
"We have tested it on seven dogs," said Ruth, who
is looking for a total of 25 dogs for the study. "We had one dog that
had no pain perception, the worst of the worst as far as neuralgic status
goes."
After treatment with the topically applied polyethylene
glycol, "That dog was taking steps within 13 days," she said.
The sooner to the time of injury the better the
drug works, said Ruth. "There is no effect after 48 hours, the most
important thing is to get it to the recipient as soon as possible."
Polyethylene glycol is known to be non-toxic and
has already found many applications. It is commonly used as a drug carrier
and is an ingredient in many shampoos.
"It's just a novel use for something that has been
around for a long time," Ruth said.
Duerstock said, "We're not inventing the wheel,
we are just using the wheel in a new application."
|
