U.S. scientists have regrown spinal cord neurons from a patients own cells They implanted the cells in injured rats aiming to reverse paralysis Found neurons caused animals' nervous system to rewire the spinal cord Connections extended into rats' limbs but they couldn't walk again Experiment offers hope to paralysed people as scientists get closer to cure But expert warns it could be months or years before human trials

By Sarah Griffiths

Published: 05:26 EST, 8 August 2014 | Updated: 07:56 EST, 8 August 2014

207 shares

15

View comments

Spinal injury victims left paralysed have been offered new hope of walking again thanks to a breakthrough in stem cell science.

U.S. scientists have regrown spinal cord neurons from a patients own cells for the first time.

Implanting the cells in rats, they found that the neurons caused the animals nervous systems to rewire the spinal cord and brain.

Scroll down for video

Read more here:
Scientists grow links between spinal cord and brain for first time