Fischer, Dietmar - assoc. RG 44

Damage to nerves caused by injury or disease, e.g., trauma, chemotherapy, or diabetes, is difficult or often impossible to treat. Due to the slow growth rate of nerve fibers, the healing process is long and often incomplete. Therefore, nerve injuries often lead to permanent disorders, e.g., paralysis or numbness, as well as chronic pain, which considerably reduces the quality of life of the affected patients.

Despite intensive research efforts, the treatment of nerve injuries has not changed significantly over the past 30 years. There are no established drugs or procedures to accelerate nerve regeneration.