Human spinal motor nerves have been grown in a laboratory for the first time in a breakthrough which scientists believe will have far-reaching implications for the treatment of devastating injuries and diseases. Motor nerves branch out from the spinal cord and brain to transmit messages which dictate almost every movement in the body.

The success announced by US scientists could help the victims of spinal cord injuries or lead to new treatments for crippling disorders such as motor neurone disease. Researchers also hope the results will be used to treat incurable conditions such as Parkinson's and insulin-dependent diabetes. They also predict that it could have potential in repairing injury to hearts and nerves. In the shorter term, it will allow scientists to create motor neurone modelling systems for screening new drugs.

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