Nerve & Limb Regeneration

The effects of applied electric fields on the problems of nerve regeneration in vitro and on nerve and limb regeneration in vivo are discussed. The results obtained form the former support the thesis that applied direct current preferentially increases neurite outgrowth to the cathode and increases neuronal survival in a manner similar to that obtained with nerve growth factor. The mechanism by which it acts may be to reduce the entry of calcium ions into cut end of the axonal stumps, thereby diminishing the degeneration of the axonal fibres. Preliminary in vivo experiments on the sciatic nerve are described. Experiments on limb regeneration dating back to 1932 and including recent work by the author is also described.