Harland Team Reveals Mechanism of Electric Field activated Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Repair

Spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to damage to the spinal cord, a vital bundle of nerves that transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord extends from the lower part of the brain down the back, ending near the lower back. It plays a crucial role in controlling movement, sensation, and many bodily functions.

SCI can result from direct trauma to the spinal cord itself (like a severe blow or compression) or damage to the surrounding bones, tissues, and ligaments. This damage disrupts signal transmission, leading to changes in sensation, movement, strength, and bodily functions below the injury site. In some cases, these effects can be temporary, while in others, they may be permanent.

On June 26, 2025, Bruce Harland from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, published a study in Nature Communications titled: "Daily electric field treatment improves functional outcomes after thoracic contusion spinal cord injury in rats." This research reveals that daily electric field treatment improves functional recovery after thoracic spinal cord contusion injury in rats.

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Overview

SCI can lead to permanent loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic functions, with very limited treatment options currently available. Recent research has highlighted the potential of low-frequency alternating electric fields in facilitating axon regeneration and promoting functional recovery. However, previously used metal electrodes are prone to corrosion, and their epidural placement restricts effective electric field penetration into the spinal cord.

In this study, the authors introduce an implantable thin-film device utilizing supercapacitor electrodes, which, when placed subdurally in rats, can safely and effectively deliver electric field therapy for thoracic spinal cord injury models. Compared to the control group, subdural electrical stimulation significantly improved hindlimb function and tactile sensitivity without inducing neuroinflammation within the spinal cord. While a noticeable increase in axon density near the injury site was not observed after a 12-week period, continuous in vivo monitoring of the electrodes and subsequent electrochemical analyses confirmed the sustained efficacy of the applied electric field throughout the study duration. These results indicate that electric field therapy, as a feasible treatment strategy, holds great promise for achieving long-term functional recovery following spinal cord injury.

Fig.1 Daily electric field therapy improves hindlimb motor function and tactile sensitivity after SCI.¹

Findings of the Study

To sum up, electric field therapy significantly improved motor function in rats after SCI. This suggests that external electric fields likely promote the repair or regeneration of damaged neurons through some mechanism. Compared to surgery or other invasive treatments, electric field therapy is a relatively non-invasive method with higher safety and ease of use. This therapy is simple to implement, has fewer side effects, and is suitable for a wide range of patients.

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Reference

1. Harland, Bruce et al. "Daily electric field treatment improves functional outcomes after thoracic contusion spinal cord injury in rats." Nature communications vol. 16,1 5372. 26 Jun. 2025, doi:10.1038/s41467-025-60332-0. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.