A “Snapshot” of the Advances in SCI Therapeutics

This editorial discusses the challenges and progress in finding effective treatments for spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite advancements in understanding SCI pathophysiology and early management, there are still no widely accepted interventional therapies to restore lost function. The editorial highlights a collection of cutting-edge research papers in the field of SCI, covering various aspects such as acute cellular processes at the injury site, inflammation, glial cell biology, scar formation, and the diaschisis effect of SCI. The importance of neural plasticity, activity-based therapies, and the use of robotics in neurorehabilitation for restoring motor function after SCI are also discussed. Neuromodulation and stimulation of descending supraspinal pathways are explored as potential targets.

• 1
  The review papers assembled match the temporo-spatial progression of SCI, from acute considerations at the site of injury, to subacute processes at and beyond the injury, to chronic changes away from the site of injury.
• 2
  After injury the preserved corticospinal connections are highly activity-dependent and can be strengthened with activity-based therapies (motor training).
• 3
  Plasticity encompasses neural development, learning and recovery of function following neural damage, but can also be a maladaptive response to injury or disease.