Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the repair of injured neurons, where the site of injury is either within nerves of the peripheral nervous system, or within neural pathways of the central nervous system. The repair of a neuron may be enhanced by the application of the neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) or a subunit of N-CAM to the site of the injury, particularly in the absence of any exogenous device such as a tube surrounding the immediate site of the injury. The method (1) maximizes recovery in severe nerve injuries, and (2) provides the first successful treatment ever reported for spinal cord injuries. Most physicians and veterinarians will be able to use the novel method of treatment without substantial additional training, as special surgical skills are not needed.

Abstract: The neural cell adhesion molecule is used in nerve prostheses for the repair of peripheral nerve damage in mammals, both animal and man. In particular, in a process wherein a crushed or severed nerve ending is entubulated by use of a prosthetic device, a neural cell adhesion protein is added to the prosthetic device to increase the rate of growth of the fibrous components of the nerve, to more rapidly regenerate the nerve, and provide a more complete restitution of the function of the muscle served by the regenerated nerve.