Spinal cord regeneration: A brief overview of present scenario and a
sneak peek into the future
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) portrays appreciable complexity in
developing from a neural tube to controlling major functions of the body
and orchestrated co-ordination in maintaining its homeostasis. Any
insult or pathology to such an organized tissue leads to a plethora of
events ranging from local hypoxia, ischemia, oxidative stress to
reactive gliosis and scarring. Despite unravelling the pathophysiology
of spinal cord injury (SCI) and linked cellular and molecular mechanism,
the over exhaustive inflammatory response at the site of injury, limited
intrinsic regeneration capability of CNS, and the dual role of glial
scar halts the expected accomplishment. The review discusses major
current treatment approaches for traumatic SCI, addressing their
limitation and scope for further development in the field under three
main categories- neuroprotection, neuro-regeneration, and
neuroplasticity. We further propose that a multi-disciplinary
combinatorial treatment approach exploring any two or all three heads
simultaneously could alleviate the inhibitory milieu and ameliorate
functional recovery.