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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Main Authors: Rui Lima, Andreia Monteiro, António J. Salgado, Susana Monteiro, Nuno A. Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-11-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Subjects:
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.
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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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AT andreiamonteiro pathophysiologyandtherapeuticapproachesforspinalcordinjury
AT antoniojsalgado pathophysiologyandtherapeuticapproachesforspinalcordinjury
AT susanamonteiro pathophysiologyandtherapeuticapproachesforspinalcordinjury
AT nunoasilva pathophysiologyandtherapeuticapproachesforspinalcordinjury