Pharmacological intervention for chronic phase of spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury often leads to axons not regrowing or reconnecting, especially in the chronic phase, hindering recovery of motor and sensory functions. Factors inhibiting axon growth, such as activated astrocytes and myelin-associated proteins, accumulate at lesion sites, making recovery challenging. To address chronic spinal cord injury, supplying neural cells or tissue substitutes to the cavity area may be necessary to facilitate axon growth. Stimulating axon growth with external factors is also crucial for maintaining both existing and transplanted neurons. This review focuses on using small compounds and proteins to encourage axon growth in chronic spinal cord injury. It highlights promising candidates from animal studies and clinical trials, suggesting potential drug-based therapies for future clinical studies.

• 1
  AA-NgR(310)ecto-Fc treatment in rats with chronic spinal contusion improved neurological recovery, particularly in open field locomotion, by increasing weight-bearing capacity and hindlimb foot movement.
• 2
  In a non-human primate study, NgR(310)ecto-Fc treatment significantly increased hindlimb walking scores and CST fibers in the caudal part of the lesion center, suggesting greater ramification of CST fibers in the denervated grey matter.
• 3
  Matrine, an activator of the chaperone function of extracellular heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), enhanced functional recovery and axonal densities in mice with chronic SCI.