Gifts From The Molecular Revolution: Protection Andrepair Of The Injured Spinal Cord

Abstract

Summary: Progress in molecular neurobiology is occurring at an accelerating rate, and the newer results carry with them an almost unprecedented degree of specificity. This, tagether with the development of techniques that permit, at least in principle, the targeting of DNA, RNA, and proteins in vivo, opens up a spectrum of possible new interventions, which almost certainly will have significant impact on the search for new therapies, and ultimately eures, for spinal cord injury and its consequences. This article outlines several areas of progress, based on progress in the author's laboratory, which supports the suggestion that, in the foreseeable future, it will be possible to protect and repair the injured spinal cord. ln particular, this article focuses on progress in 3 interrelated areas: (a) neuroprotection (ie, the search for treatments that will protect vulnerable axons within the descending and ascending tracts within the spinal cord, so that they do not die after the initial traumatic insult); (b) restoration of conduction in spinal cord axons that survive the traumatic insult but fail to conduct impulses due to darnage to their myelin; and (c) the targeting of molecules along the pain-signaling pathway, so as to reduce neuronal hyperexcitability that produces pain following SC I. Although much work remains to be done, we are coming much closer to our goals in each of these areas, and the overall objective-of protecting and repairing the injured spinal cord-appears achievable.

Keywords:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Neuroprotection
• Neuron
• Axon
• Demyelination stem cell
• Schwann cell
• Neurophathic pain
• Regeneration