Scientists discover why damaged nerves struggle to heal

Scientists have identified a protein that acts like a brake on the nervous system’s ability to repair damaged connections. Blocking AHR helped injured nerve fibers regrow and improved movement and sensation in mice with nerve or spinal cord injuries. The discovery could eventually point toward new treatments designed to shift neurons from simply surviving an injury to actively rebuilding themselves.

Scientists discover why damaged nerves struggle to heal. The findings, published in the journal Nature, suggest that blocking a protein known as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) could promote nerve regeneration and improve recovery after damage to peripheral nerves or the spinal cord. Axons are long extensions of nerve cells, or neurons, that transmit signals throughout both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

These fibers are essential for communication between nerve cells. When axons are damaged or severed, recovery depends heavily on whether neurons can rebuild those connections. Why Damaged Nerves Struggle To Regrow In adult mammals, however, neurons have only a limited capacity to regenerate their axons.