The Journal of Neuroscience, 2009 · DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3641-09.2009 · Published: November 25, 2009
This study investigates a potential treatment for chronic spinal cord injuries, where long-injured axons struggle to regrow due to their limited growth potential and the presence of inhibitory molecules in the glial scar. The researchers combined peripheral nerve grafts (PNGs) with chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) treatment to break down these inhibitory molecules, along with GDNF stimulation. The study found that this combination facilitated axons to exit the PNG into host tissue and promoted some functional recovery, suggesting a promising approach for treating chronic spinal cord injuries.
The combination of PNGs and ChABC holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for chronic spinal cord injuries, where traditional treatments are often ineffective.
The study's findings suggest that this approach can promote some degree of functional recovery, potentially improving the quality of life for individuals with chronic SCI.
Electrical stimulation of the nerve graft resulted in c-Fos expression, indicating the formation of functional synapses and integration of regenerated axons into host circuitry.