Scientists discover why damaged nerves struggle to heal

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August 29, 2026, 2:59 AM

• •The study identifies AHR as a regulator that suppresses axon growth after neuronal injury.
• •Blocking or removing AHR in neurons improved nerve fiber regrowth in mouse models.
• •Researchers say AHR supports proteostasis after injury, but this limits production of proteins needed for axon rebuilding.
• •The regeneration response seen without AHR also depends on HIF-1α, a factor involved in metabolism and tissue repair.
• •Potential therapies could include AHR-inhibiting drugs or neuron-targeted gene therapy, but human treatment remains a future goal.

Researchers at Mount Sinai report that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, or AHR, limits the ability of injured neurons to regrow damaged axons. In mouse models of peripheral nerve damage and spinal cord injury, removing AHR from neurons or blocking it with drugs improved axon regeneration and recovery of movement and sensation. The study suggests AHR pushes injured neurons toward stress management and protein quality control instead of making the proteins needed for repair. The findings point to AHR inhibition as a possible future treatment strategy, though the work remains preclinical and needs further study.

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