Stem cell research, surgery, physical therapy — all of these are different forms of spinal cord injury treatments, but now science is asking “what about the gecko?”
At the University of Calgary, Anthony Russell and a colleague from the United States have discovered that gecko lizards might be able to aid in finding a cure for paralysis, according to the Edmonton Journal.
A gecko can sell you car accident insurance…and maybe even cure your spinal cord injury.
Geckos might be the key to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. (Source: Edmonton Journal)
“Something in the tail is saying to the tail, ‘Lets use this muscle to move a lot, then take a break, then move again,’” Russell said in regards to his study, which has found that the severed tail of the gecko can move on its own — jumping, turning, lunging — without receiving signals from the brain.
Could humans regain movement in a similar fashion if they are paraplegic or quadriplegic? Russell’s team has made the correlation between physical movements in gecko tails and the ones experienced by those living with paralysis. Once they’re removed from the body, gecko tails can still make complex movements two minutes after separation. Rhythmic movements may usually occur 30 minutes after detachment takes place.
The team recognizes that there are many things that might explain why a gecko’s tail moves after being severed. Temperature, pressure, and environmental factors could influence the movement of the tail in certain ways, but what’s most promising is the fact that human spinal cords and gecko tails have very similar biological components.
Russell’s theory: if the tail of a gecko, once removed from the body, does not need a signal from the brain to move, perhaps humans do not require it either. Regardless if their hypothesis is correct or not, the scientists agree that this study can be used as a vehicle for researching ways the nerves and muscles in the body can produce complex movements without the assistance of the brain.
Our personal injury law firm hopes that one day a cure to spinal cord injuries is discovered. Until then, we’ll keep a close eye on the use of geckos and their potential healing powers on paralysis.
Contact our bilingual offices as soon as possible following a spinal cord injury at 1-800-655-6585 or please click here for a free consultation with an experienced San Diego spinal cord injury attorney.
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Tags: Cure, Gecko, spinal cord injuries, University of Calgery
