Long-Term 5-HT1A Receptor Agonist NLX-112 Treatment Improves Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries often disrupt the body's ability to control movement and organ function. This study explores whether a drug called NLX-112, which activates serotonin receptors, can improve recovery after such injuries. The researchers found that long-term treatment with NLX-112, starting two weeks after a spinal cord injury in rats, led to improved walking ability and better bladder function. These improvements suggest that NLX-112 could be a potential therapy for spinal cord injury patients, helping them regain some motor and autonomic functions.

• 1
  NLX-112 treatment significantly improves locomotion in a dose-dependent fashion, suggesting a direct relationship between the amount of drug and the improvement in walking ability.
• 2
  The study demonstrated that NLX-112 improves LUT function, which includes both detrusor and EUS activities, indicating better bladder control and voiding efficiency.
• 3
  NLX-112 reduces SCI-upregulated spinal 5-HT1A receptor expression below the injured site in both the L4 and L6/S1 spinal cord segments.