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Zebrafish 'able to repair spinal cord injuries'
In a cross section of the adult zebrafish spinal cord, stem cells (green) can be seen to divide (red and/or blue)
In a cross section of the adult zebrafish spinal cord, stem cells (green) can be seen to divide (red and/or blue).

Discovery may offer hope for new therapies in humans
 
Zebrafish are able to heal their own spinal cord injuries by growing new motor neurons, scientists have discovered.

It is hoped this finding could one day lead to new therapies for people with neurodegenerative conditions, such as motor neuron disease.

Damage to motor neurons in humans - either as a result of neurodegeneration or spinal cord injury - is irreversible.

Yet researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that serotonin - best known as the mood boosting hormone - can help zebrafish recover from spinal cord injuries.

They found the hormone is able to send signals to stem cells found in the spinal cord, boosting the growth of new motor neurons.

Using these findings, scientists say they may be able to grow motor neurons in the lab, aiding research into neurodegenerative conditions in humans.

Dr Thomas Becker, from Edinburgh's Centre for Neuroregeneration and the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, said: "Understanding how zebrafish are able to repair damaged nerves could one day help us to trigger similar mechanisms in human stem cells.

"Our hope is that this may eventually lead to new treatments for conditions such as motor neuron disease, for which there is no cure."

Image (c) Catherina Becker, University of Edinburgh.

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.