Major breakthrough for paralysed people after drug that restores movement shows 'extraordinary promise'
New drug, known as intracellular sigma peptide, or ISP, helps damaged nerve cells regenerate, allowing vital messages to be passed to muscles
Normally, when they try to grow across a scarred and damaged spinal cord, their path is blocked by glue-like chemicals
ISP, which is given as a daily injection, sticks to the chemicals instead
This allows the nerves to grow and grow, say scientists in Ohio, U.S.
Rats with badly damaged spinal cords given drug daily for seven weeks
Their ability walk, balance and control their bladder muscles monitored
Vast majority of rats got something back in terms of function
Some went from barely moving to being able to walk like healthy creatures
By FIONA MACRAE, SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 13:07 EST, 3 December 2014 | UPDATED: 13:07 EST, 3 December 2014

A drug could restore the gift of movement to millions of people paralysed in car crashes, sporting accidents and falls, doctors believe.

The chemical has shown ‘extraordinary promise’ when given to rats with severely damaged spinal cords.
Some animals went from being barely able to take a step to being able to walk almost as well as healthy creatures.

They also became more nimble and regained control of their bladder muscles.
Overall, 21 of the 26 animals improved on the drug – an unparalleled success rate.

The study, published in the journal Nature, was partly funded by the US government’s health research arm – the National Institutes of Health.
Researcher Jerry Silver, a professor of neuroscience at Cape Western Reserve University, Ohio, said: ‘This recovery is unprecedented.

‘Each of the 21 animals got something back in terms of function.
‘For any spinal cord-injured patient today, it would be considered extraordinary to regain even one of those functions.

‘We’re very excited at the possibility that millions of people could, one day, regain movements lost due to spinal cord injuries.’

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