Reconnection of severed nerve axons with polyethylene glycol

Severed medial giant axons in crayfish can be rejoined in vitro with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to produce axoplasmic continuity and through transmission of action potentials. Severed axon-like processes of a mammalian neuroblastoma/glioma cell line seem to be rejoined to the cell body using PEG in tissue culture. Our data suggest that PEG might be used to rejoin severed axons in vivo in various organisms.