Montreal, August 1, 2002 - Results published today in the Journal of Neuroscience by scientists at Université de Montreal provide new light on understanding axon regeneration in the in the central nervous system. The team, lead by Dr. Lisa McKerracher, showed that it is possible to block the response of neurons to growth inhibitory proteins by inactivating the Rho signaling pathway. These recent findings will provide new avenues for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

''One of the most difficult obstacles in the field of spinal cord injury is finding effective methods to encourage regeneration of cut axons" said Lisa McKerracher. Axons are the cellular processes of neurons that are responsible for long distance communication.  At present, spinal cord injury leads to permanent disability for  approximately 15,000 people per year in North America.

"Our research shows that it is possible to neutralize growth inhibitory proteins that block regeneration" added Paulin Dergham, a doctoral student and member of the research team. Mice that received an injection of  Rho inhibitors showed a rapid initial recovery, and a progressive return of coordinated hindlimb movement.  In addition to spinal cord injury, the research on Rho inhibitors may provide new avenues for treatment of neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's Disease.

The research leading to the discovery of the Rho signalling pathway as a target for spinal cord repair was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. "This new research field knowns as 'Regenerative Medicine' is recognized as one of the key strategic initiatives of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Dr. Lisa McKerracher's research is at the forefront of this exciting area. Her findings clearly opens new avenues toward more effective treatments of injuries to nervous tissues" says Dr. Rémi Quirion, Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction.

Dr. Lisa McKerracher is Professor in the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal,  and is also a member of the Centre for Research in Neuroscience. In 2000, she was a co-recipient of the Christopher Reeve Research Medal with Albert Aguayo for her work on regeneration in the central nervous system. Also, she is the founding scientist of BioAxone Therapeutic Inc, a company that will commercialize these findings for clinical trial.

About Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal is a leader among major research universities. With its two affiliated schools, the École Polytechnique and the École des HEC, its campus is the largest in Québec. It offers undergraduate, masters and doctoral level programs in almost all areas of knowledge, has more than 50,000 students and awards more than 2,500 master's and doctorate degrees every year. It ranks second among universities in Canada in terms of research funding and research grants per professor. Université de Montréal is committed to developing new knowledge and transmitting existing expertise.

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For further information or interviews with Dr McKerracher:
Sophie Langlois
Press Officer
Université de Montréal
(514) 343-7704