A Mathematical Model of Regenerative Axon Growing along Glial Scar after Spinal Cord Injury

This paper introduces a mathematical model to simulate how damaged nerve fibers (axons) regrow around glial scars after spinal cord injuries. Glial scars are barriers that hinder nerve regeneration. The model is based on experiments where Schwann cells were transplanted to bridge the glial scar, and it uses the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) for three-dimensional numerical simulation. The simulation results suggest that the level of inhibitory factors on the glial scar and the scar's size significantly affect axon regeneration. This information can help researchers design more effective experiments to promote nerve repair.

• 1
  The level of inhibitory factors on the surface of glial scar significantly impacts axon elongation.
• 2
  When inhibitory factor levels are constant, the longitudinal size of the glial scar influences the average rate of axon growth more than the transverse size.
• 3
  Regenerating axons can navigate across glial scars with the support of Schwann cells and NTFs concentration gradients when the release rate of inhibitory factors is less than 3%.