DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/B39R-VH79
Defense Date
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Anatomy & Neurobiology
First Advisor
Raymond Colello
Abstract
Injury to the spinal cord results in partial or complete loss of sensory perception and motor function. After spinal cord injury (SCI), damaged tissue dies and a cavity will form. This cavity prevents the regeneration of tissue and any functional recovery. One way to address the cavity is the insertion of an electrospun scaffold that our lab has created. This provides a substrate for regenerating tissue to grow on, and it is thought that reestablishing the blood supply within the scaffold will allow cells necessary for regeneration to thrive. This could ultimately lead to meaningful recovery for patients who have suffered SCI. Full spinal cord transections were performed on rats, and the scaffolds were inserted into the lesion site. Two different types of scaffold were tested to see if altering the fiber size in the scaffolds produced more blood vessels, and ultimately better regeneration of tissue.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
August 2012