Technologies

UC San Diego investigators have developed a new monoclonal antibody against a portion of Ryk (part of the Wnt pathway) and a method for inhibiting degeneration of a neuron and potentially treating spinal cord injury and neurodegenerative diseases. The Ryk antibodysignificantly improved the recovery of fine motor skills in rats with spinal cord injury measured by a reaching and grasping task.

Most people who suffer traumatic spinal cord injuries have incomplete lesions of neural circuits whose function can be partially restored from the reconfiguration of the spared circuits with rehabilitative training.Methods for improving nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury or nerve transplantation are needed for improved patient outcome. Also, neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease negatively impact quality of life.