Micro-TENNS: Rebuilding Neural Pathways

Front

What does "Micro-TENNS" stand for?

Back

Micro-Tissue Engineered Neural Networks

Front

What forms after a spinal cord injury that blocks axons from reconnecting?

Back

Glial scar

Front

What is the white, fatty coating on neurons that helps messages travel faster?

Back

Myelin sheath

Front

Approximately how many new spinal cord injury cases occur each year in the U.S.?

Back

17,000

Front

What are micro-TENNs primarily made of?

Back

Agarose hydrogel and ECM (collagen & laminin)

Front

What is the main difference between primary and secondary spinal cord injuries?

Back

Primary is the initial trauma; secondary is the biological chain reaction.

Front

What happens to axons when they encounter the glial scar?

Back

They stop, retract, or die

Front

What is one major strength of micro-TENNs?

Back

They create pathways for axons to grow around scar tissue

Front

In preclinical studies, how far did axons extend 4 weeks after micro-TENN implantation?

Back

About 3.5 mm rostrally and more than 2 mm caudally

Front

What is one current limitation of micro-TENNs technology?

Back

It has only been tested in rodent models, not humans