The prospects of regenerative medicine combined with rehabilitative approaches for chronic spinal cord injury animal models

Neural Regeneration Research, 2017 · DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.198972 · Published: January 1, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Regenerative medicine shows promise for recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI), especially in the early stages. However, most SCI patients are in the chronic phase, where regenerative medicine is less effective. Combining cell transplantation with treadmill training can significantly improve functional recovery even in chronic SCI. This combination has both additive and synergistic effects. The review summarizes the progress in cell-based regenerative medicine combined with rehabilitative approaches for animal models of chronic SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

80 severely thoracic cord-contused C57BL/6J mice

Evidence Level

Review article

Key Findings

1
Treadmill training combined with neural stem/progenitor cell (NS/PC) transplantation promotes functional recovery in chronic SCI, showing both additive and synergistic effects.
2
NS/PC transplantation promotes recovery in spinal conductivity and upregulates excitatory central pattern generator (CPG) activity.
3
Treadmill training facilitates suppressive regulation related to coordinated rhythmic motor control and ameliorates spasticity.

Research Summary

Regenerative medicine offers hope for functional recovery in acute-to-subacute SCI, but chronic SCI treatment remains challenging. Combined therapies, especially those including rehabilitation, are gaining attention. A recent study demonstrated that treadmill training combined with cell transplantation significantly promotes functional recovery in chronic SCI in a synergistic manner. The review summarizes progress and considers the prospects of cell-based regenerative medicine combined with rehabilitative approaches for chronic SCI animal models.

Practical Implications

Clinical Translation

The findings support the clinical translation of combined regenerative and rehabilitative therapies for chronic SCI patients.

Therapeutic Strategy

Combining medication and rehabilitation with cell replacement therapy can improve outcomes for chronically injured spinal cords.

Further Research

Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying combination therapy and prevent potential adverse effects.

Study Limitations

1
Unfavorable factors in the chronically injured spinal cord, like glial scarring, interfere with recovery at the transplantation site.
2
Mechanisms underlying the changes induced by TMT and cell transplantation combination therapy need detailed investigation.
3
More effective approaches are needed to augment recovery in chronic SCI, beyond transplantation and rehabilitation.

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