Accession Number:

ADA581474

Title:

Use of GDNF-Releasing Nanofiber Nerve Guide Conduits for the Repair of Conus Medullaris/Cauda Equina Injury in the Nonhuman Primate

Descriptive Note:

Annual rept. 30 Sep 2011-29 Sep 2012

Corporate Author:

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV BALTIMORE MD

Personal Author(s):

• Hoke, Ahmet
• Mao, Hai-Quan

Report Date:

2012-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

6.0

Abstract:

The primary goal of this collaborative research project is to translate a cauda equina injury and repair model from the rodent to the non-human primate to determine whether nanofiber nerve guidance conduits NGCs, which release glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor GDNF, may be used to bridge tissue gaps between the spinal cord and avulsed ventral roots to promote neuroprotection, axonal regeneration, and functional reinnervation of peripheral target muscles. In the first year of the work, we developed an improved version of the nanofiber NGCs with increased surface area of nanofibers and gradient loading of the GDNF. In the current second year, we manufactured nanofiber NGCs of different sizes and shipped them to Dr. Havton to be used in primate surgeries.

Descriptors:

• *CONDUITS
• *MUSCLES
• *NERVE FIBERS
• *WOUNDS AND INJURIES
• GRADIENTS
• RELEASE
• REPAIR
• RODENTS
• SPINAL CORD

Subject Categories:

• Medicine and Medical Research

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE