| abstract |
A method is disclosed for enhancing the repair of injured neurons, where the site of injury is either within nerves of the peripheral nervous system, or within neural pathways of the central nervous system. The repair of a neuron may be enhanced by the application of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) or a subunit of N-CAM to the site of the injury, particularly in the absence of any exogenous device such as a tube surrounding the immediate site of the injury. The method (1) maximizes recovery in severe nerve injuries, and (2) provides the first successful treatment ever reported for spinal cord injuries. Most physicians and veterinarians will be able to use the novel method of treatment without substantial additional training, as special surgical skills are not needed. |