Study reveals how nervous system activates repair after spinal cord injury
December 8, 2025

Specific DNA sequences control how cells in the nervous system respond to spinal cord injury, a study has found, potentially enabling more targeted treatments.

When the central nervous system is damaged, many cells become reactive, changing their function and activating genes that protect and repair tissue.
How this process is regulated has been unclear.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have mapped thousands of enhancers, small DNA sequences that act like switches for genes, turning them on or boosting their activity.
By analysing individual cell nuclei from mice with spinal cord injuries using artificial intelligence models, the researchers found these genetic switches activate after injury and instruct specific cell types to respond.
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August 25, 2025
Researchers have identified the neurons responsible for boosting the intensity of breathing when organs need more oxygen, for example, during exercise or at high altitudes. This discovery, published in Cell Reports , unveils a potential new target for treatments seeking to restore normal breathing functions in people who have suffered a spinal cord injury. Read full article here.

June 12, 2025
A Swiss research center is trying to use innovative technology to help restore bodily functions for paralyzed patients—and even help Parkinson's patients walk smoothly again. "60 Minutes" is the most successful television broadcast in history. Offering hard-hitting investigative reports, interviews, feature segments and profiles of people in the news, the broadcast began in 1968 and is still a hit, over 50 seasons later, regularly making Nielsen's Top 10. See full video here

June 10, 2025
Dear Colleague, Welcome to the Open Data Commons for Spinal Cord Injury (ODC-SCI)! The ODC-SCI was established in 2017 as a dedicated data sharing portal and repository for the field of SCI. Through the ODC-SCI, you can share data with your colleagues in a protected space and publish data to the public with a DOI. The ODC-SCI complies with the FAIR data principles to ensure that SCI data is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable. With the growth of this community we hope to expand the amount of data sharing and promote transparency and reproducibility for our common goal to find a cure for SCI, and provide a means for the SCI community to meet increasing funder and journal data sharing requirements. Read full article here .

October 29, 2024
Today, Auður Guðjónsdóttir addressed the Health Committee of the Nordic Council during this year’s Nordic Council Session , held in Iceland from October 28 to October 31 . As a dedicated advocate for spinal cord injury research and treatment, Auður emphasized the urgent need for increased collaboration and investment in finding a cure for paralysis. Her speech highlighted the critical role that the Nordic countries can play in advancing neurological research and improving the quality of life for those affected by spinal cord injuries. The Nordic Council’s commitment to health and innovation presents a unique opportunity to push for stronger initiatives, research funding, and policy changes that could accelerate breakthroughs in spinal cord injury treatment. By addressing the Health Committee , Auður continues to champion the cause, ensuring that spinal cord injuries remain a priority issue on the Nordic agenda .











