Regenerative Neurorehabilitation Laboratory
Colin K. Franz, MD/PhD, Director
Research Spotlight: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Advances Study of Peripheral Nerve Injury & Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation
Research was undertaken by physician-scientist Colin Franz, MD, PhD, and a team of researchers in the rehabilitation hospital’s Regenerative Neurorehabilitation Laboratory.
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Applications of advances in therapeutic electrical stimulation techniques and technologies in precision peripheral nerve repair: a narrative review.
Peripheral nerve injuries affect large numbers of individuals each year, often resulting in long-term disabilities due to impairments in motor and sensory function. With traditional treatment approaches, including surgical repair and rehabilitation, the most common outcome is incomplete recovery.
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Our Projects
Take a look at a few of the projects we work on everyday.
Reconstructive Surgery for People with Spinal Cord Injury
Research Project
Selected Publications
The Impact of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor rs6265 (Val66Met) Polymorphism on Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration: A Preclinical Study of Therapy-Genotype Interactions.
INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Therapeutic electrical stimulation (TES) shows promise in enhancing nerve regeneration, but outcomes vary widely. This study investigates the impact of the rs6265 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on TES efficacy in a preclinical rat model and human stem cell-derived motor neurons. METHODS: Wild-type (WT) and rs6265 variant rats underwent sciatic nerve transection and received either TES or sham treatment. Muscle reinnervation was assessed through compound muscle action…
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