Belegu V, Oudega M, Gary DS, McDonald JW. Restoring function after spinal cord injury: promoting spontaneous regeneration with stem cells and activity-based therapies.
Neurosurg Clin N Am 2007;
18:143-68, xi. [PMID:
17244561 DOI:
10.1016/j.nec.2006.10.012]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although neural regeneration is an active research field today, no current treatments can aid regeneration after spinal cord injury. This article reviews the feasibility of spinal cord repair and provides an overview of the range of strategies scientists are taking toward regeneration. The major focus of this article is the future role of stem cell transplantation and similar rehabilitative restorative approaches designed to optimize spontaneous regeneration by mobilizing endogenous stem cells and facilitating other cellular mechanisms of regeneration, such as axonal growth and myelination.
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