Skip to main content

REVIEW article

Front. Neurosci.
Sec. Translational Neuroscience
Volume 18 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1372920
This article is part of the Research Topic Advancing Therapeutic Approaches for Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury and Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Exploring Innovative Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies View all 4 articles

Advancements in Neuroregenerative and Neuroprotective Therapies for Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

Provisionally accepted
Gregor Fischer Gregor Fischer 1,2Linda Bättig Linda Bättig 1,2Martin N. Stienen Martin N. Stienen 2,3Armin Curt Armin Curt 4Michael G. Fehlings Michael G. Fehlings 5,6Nader Hejrati Nader Hejrati 1,2*
  • 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Sankt Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
  • 2 Spine Center of Eastern Switzerland, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
  • 3 Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
  • 4 Spinal Cord Injury Center, University Hospital Balgrist, Zurich, Switzerland
  • 5 Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Division of Neurosurgery and Spine Program, Toronto, Canada
  • 6 Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Division of Genetics and Development, Toronto, Canada

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) continue to be a major healthcare concern, with a rising prevalence worldwide. In response to this growing medical challenge, considerable scientific attention has been devoted to developing neuroprotective and neuroregenerative strategies aimed at improving the prognosis and quality of life for individuals with SCIs. This comprehensive review aims to provide an up-to-date and thorough overview of the latest neuroregenerative and neuroprotective therapies currently under investigation.These strategies encompass a multifaceted approach that include neuropharmacological interventions, cell-based therapies, and other promising strategies such as biomaterial scaffolds and neuro-modulation therapies. In addition, the review discusses the importance of acute clinical management, including the role of hemodynamic management as well as timing and technical aspects of surgery as key factors mitigating the secondary injury following SCI.In conclusion, this review underscores the ongoing scientific efforts to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life, focusing on upcoming strategies for the management of traumatic SCI. Each section provides a working knowledge of the fundamental preclinical and patient trials relevant to clinicians while underscoring the pathophysiologic rationale for the therapies.

    Keywords: spinal cord injury (SCI), Neuroregeneraion, Neuroprotection, Cell based therapies, Biomaterials, Neuromodulation

    Received: 18 Jan 2024; Accepted: 10 Apr 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Fischer, Bättig, Stienen, Curt, Fehlings and Hejrati. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Nader Hejrati, Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital St.Gallen, Sankt Gallen, 9007, St Gallen, Switzerland

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.