Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches for Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disabling condition that disrupts motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. Despite extensive research in the last decades, SCI continues to be a global health priority affecting thousands of individuals every year. The lack of effective therapeutic strategies for patien...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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Series: | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/22/13833 |
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author | Rui Lima Andreia Monteiro António J. Salgado Susana Monteiro Nuno A. Silva |
author_facet | Rui Lima Andreia Monteiro António J. Salgado Susana Monteiro Nuno A. Silva |
author_sort | Rui Lima |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disabling condition that disrupts motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. Despite extensive research in the last decades, SCI continues to be a global health priority affecting thousands of individuals every year. The lack of effective therapeutic strategies for patients with SCI reflects its complex pathophysiology that leads to the point of no return in its function repair and regeneration capacity. Recently, however, several studies started to uncover the intricate network of mechanisms involved in SCI leading to the development of new therapeutic approaches. In this work, we present a detailed description of the physiology and anatomy of the spinal cord and the pathophysiology of SCI. Additionally, we provide an overview of different molecular strategies that demonstrate promising potential in the modulation of the secondary injury events that promote neuroprotection or neuroregeneration. We also briefly discuss other emerging therapies, including cell-based therapies, biomaterials, and epidural electric stimulation. A successful therapy might target different pathologic events to control the progression of secondary damage of SCI and promote regeneration leading to functional recovery. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:17:19Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-0b049eb36b1541b48df50e1fe1125a23 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1661-6596 1422-0067 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:17:19Z |
publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | International Journal of Molecular Sciences |
spelling | doaj.art-0b049eb36b1541b48df50e1fe1125a232023-11-24T08:34:06ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672022-11-0123221383310.3390/ijms232213833Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches for Spinal Cord InjuryRui Lima0Andreia Monteiro1António J. Salgado2Susana Monteiro3Nuno A. Silva4Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalLife and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalLife and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalLife and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalLife and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a disabling condition that disrupts motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. Despite extensive research in the last decades, SCI continues to be a global health priority affecting thousands of individuals every year. The lack of effective therapeutic strategies for patients with SCI reflects its complex pathophysiology that leads to the point of no return in its function repair and regeneration capacity. Recently, however, several studies started to uncover the intricate network of mechanisms involved in SCI leading to the development of new therapeutic approaches. In this work, we present a detailed description of the physiology and anatomy of the spinal cord and the pathophysiology of SCI. Additionally, we provide an overview of different molecular strategies that demonstrate promising potential in the modulation of the secondary injury events that promote neuroprotection or neuroregeneration. We also briefly discuss other emerging therapies, including cell-based therapies, biomaterials, and epidural electric stimulation. A successful therapy might target different pathologic events to control the progression of secondary damage of SCI and promote regeneration leading to functional recovery.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/22/13833spinal cord injurymolecular therapiesneuroprotectionneuroregeneration |
spellingShingle | Rui Lima Andreia Monteiro António J. Salgado Susana Monteiro Nuno A. Silva Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches for Spinal Cord Injury International Journal of Molecular Sciences spinal cord injury molecular therapies neuroprotection neuroregeneration |
title | Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches for Spinal Cord Injury |
title_full | Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches for Spinal Cord Injury |
title_fullStr | Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches for Spinal Cord Injury |
title_full_unstemmed | Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches for Spinal Cord Injury |
title_short | Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches for Spinal Cord Injury |
title_sort | pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injury |
topic | spinal cord injury molecular therapies neuroprotection neuroregeneration |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/22/13833 |
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