275 



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findings to human beings must await the outcome of further 

 investigation. In progress at the present time are certain 

 experiments to determine whether or not alterations can be 

 achieved in scars already formed and the effects of surgical 

 removal of such scars followed by treatment with PYROMEN*. 



756. WINDLE, W. P., CLEMENTE, C, D. and CHAMBERS, W. W. 



Inhibition of formation of a glial barrier as a means of per- 

 mitting a peripheral nerve to grow in the brain 



J. Compar. Neurol,, 1952 (in press) 



757. WINDLE, W. F., CLEMENTE, CD., SCOTT, D., JR. and CHAMBERS, 

 W. W. 



Induction of neuronal regeneration in the Central Nervous 

 System 



Transactions, Am. Neurol. Assn., 1952 (in press) 



After complete transection of the thoracic spinal cord of 

 the cat, glia cells from the parenchyma, with fibroblasts 

 from blood vessels and pia mater form membranes over the cut 

 ends. These are well-developed within one week and firm scar 

 tissue is seen within one month in untreated animals. 



Administration of PYROMEN* or ACTH from the day of operation de- 

 lays the early development of the pia-gllal membrane over the 

 cut ends of the cord. A loose type of "granulation tissue", 

 consisting of a well-vascularized reticulum, filled with connec- 

 tive tissue cells poorly differentiated, permits regenerating 

 intraspinal neurons to penetrate the newly-formed tissue within 

 fifteen to thirty days after treatment is begun. Successful 

 regeneration depends upon proximatlon of severed ends and 

 continued therapy. Electrophysiological studies have confirmed 

 histologic findings. When separation of the cord ends was 

 not more than 1 mm. at operation, recorded electric potentials 

 after regrowth were within 25 to 30 per cent of normal. With 

 separation of 2 mm. or more scar tissue formed and no potentials 

 were recorded. Unless other measures are taken to eliminate 

 scars, it is doubtful if paraplegics with spinal cord lesions 

 of long standing can be benefited by the therapy employed in 

 our experiments. 



*PIROMEN 



