Carbon filament implants promote axonal growth across the transected rat spinal cord

Significant regeneration of neural pathways following complete transection of the spinal cord has yet to be demonstrated. In the present study, we analyzed the ability of carbon filaments to function as a scaffold for the regrowth of injured axons in the rat spinal cord. Through the use of three different axonal tracing methods, severed spinal axons were observed growing on and between carbon filaments implanted into the completely transected rat spinal cord. Carbon filaments, by providing a favorable adhesive surface and also a possible guiding function, may prove useful in the treatment of spinal cord injury.