Ming-Chao Huang
Neurological Institute of Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Tokyo
Title: Treatment with nerve graft and acidic fibroblast growth factor enhance neuron survival and functional recovery in cervical root injury
Biography
Biography: Ming-Chao Huang
Abstract
Neurotrophic factors are crucial for neuron survival and axon regeneration. Among them, acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) is a normal constituent of the spinal cord and is expressed in motor neurons and primary sensory neurons. It is involved in repairing process after tissue damage. Our studies demonstrate that aFGF has beneficial effects in the treatment of cervical root injury, which is currently considered by most to be beyond surgical repair and medical treatment.In the last decade,we developed a repair technique by bridging severed nerve roots and the spinal cordwith autologous nerve graft and addingaFGFmixed infibrin glue. The fibrin glue not only acts as a tissue glue but also ensures slow-release of the aFGF. We achieved functional recovery in animal experiments as well as in clinical trial. In a series of animal experiments, the outcomeof both motor and sensory function was markedly improved.The improvement was related to the increase of both motor and sensory neuron survival, even in the worst clinical scenario, such as repairingin a chronic stage, or repairing ventral root only. In clinical trial, significant functional recovery were also observed, including muscle power and mechanical sensation.We believe that besides surgery, the addition of aFGF may play an important role not only in enhancing axonal regeneration but also in promoting neuronal survival; which arethe key factorsfor functional recovery.