This Article Full Text (OnlineFirst PDF) All Versions of this Article: 1545968307313500v1 22/5/429    most recent Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Verma, P. Articles by Fawcett, J. W. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Verma, P. Articles by Fawcett, J. W. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Spinal Cord Repair: Bridging the Divide

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: poonamverma{at}doctors.org.uk.

	Abstract

The normal spinal cord coordinates movement and sensation in the body. It is a complex organ containing nerve cells, supporting cells, and nerve fibers to and from the brain. The spinal cord is arranged in segments, with higher segments controlling movement and sensation in the upper parts of the body and lower segments controlling the lower parts of the body. Recent notable discoveries in the fields of neuroscience and cell biology have ensured that many more people survive injuries to the brain and spinal cord. The consequences of injury reflect this organization. Although these developments have been mirrored by significant strides in our understanding of the evolution and pathology of spinal injuries, complete repair of structure and hence function remain elusive. Most spinal cord injuries still cause lifelong disability, and continued research is critically needed. Here we review the molecular and cellular processes that occur during the evolution of an injury to the central nervous system. Throughout, we highlight several promising therapies aimed to restore the disrupted connections in the brain and spinal cord. These, used in combination with supportive care and rehabilitation strategies, may help patients to achieve significant long-term recovery.

First published on May 16, 2008, doi:10.1177/1545968307313500

Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair 2008;22:429.

A more recent version of this article appeared on September 1, 2008


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Z. Liang, J. Zeng, C. Zhang, S. Liu, X. Ling, F. Wang, L. Ling, Q. Hou, S. Xing, and Z. Pei Progression of Pathological Changes in the Middle Cerebellar Peduncle by Diffusion Tensor Imaging Correlates With Lesser Motor Gains After Pontine Infarction Neurorehabil Neural Repair, September 1, 2009; 23(7): 692 - 698. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. H. Dobkin Collaborative Models for Translational Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Research Neurorehabil Neural Repair, September 1, 2009; 23(7): 633 - 640. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. Kumru, J. Vidal, M. Perez, P. Schestatsky, and J. Valls-Sole Sympathetic Skin Responses Evoked by Different Stimuli Modalities in Spinal Cord Injury Patients Neurorehabil Neural Repair, July 1, 2009; 23(6): 553 - 558. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. Rudhe and H. J. A. van Hedel Upper Extremity Function in Persons with Tetraplegia: Relationships Between Strength, Capacity, and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure Neurorehabil Neural Repair, June 1, 2009; 23(5): 413 - 421. [Abstract] [PDF]