A clinically relevant blunt spinal cord injury model in the regeneration competent axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) tail

This study explores how well axolotls, which are known for their ability to regenerate, can recover from a spinal cord injury similar to what humans experience. Instead of cutting the spinal cord, the researchers used a blunt trauma to mimic real-world injuries. The axolotls were divided into two groups: one receiving the spinal cord injury and the other a sham procedure. Over nine weeks, the researchers used MRI, histology, and physical tests to monitor their recovery. The study found that axolotls could regenerate after the blunt spinal cord trauma, though the regeneration wasn't complete within the study's timeframe. All animals showed a restoration of neurological function.

• 1
  Axolotls are capable of morphologically regenerating the spinal cord following a contusion trauma.
• 2
  Regeneration was incomplete after 9 weeks, as evidenced by histology showing ependymal proliferation and a compressed spinal cord.
• 3
  All animals exhibited restored full neurological function by the end of the experiment, despite incomplete morphological regeneration.