EFFECT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ON PERIPHERAL NERVE REGENERATION

Dr. Martin Tomšič
Dr. Fajko Bajrovič
Prof. Dr. Aneta Stefanovska

The effect of electricity on the growth and guidance of peripheral nerve tissue is the main topic of this tutorial. It was proposed many years ago that endogenous and exogenous electric currents can enhance limb regenerative response in lower vertebrates. Since then several experiments have been conducted, and various aspects of peripheral nerve regeneration under applied electromagnetic field have been studied. It is well documented that mammalian neurites in vitro respond to externally applied fields.

Although a diversity of effects supports the idea that electromagnetic fields may induce responses from mammalian neurons, and that these depend on particular processes and the duration of exposure to the fields, the mechanisms underlying these responses remain unexplored. The validity of extrapolation from growth cones in vitro to the human peripheral nervous system in vivo remains unclear, therefore, and indicates the need for more controlled experiments in order to evaluate various aspects of regeneration.