Promising Advances in Pharmacotherapy for Patients with Spinal Cord Injury—A Review of Studies Performed In Vivo with Modern Drugs

J. Clin. Med., 2022 · DOI: 10.3390/jcm11226685 · Published: November 11, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Immunology

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to motor dysfunction, often from accidents or diseases. Current treatments have limited effectiveness, improving life quality but not fully resolving disability. New research explores therapies to help SCI patients recover. This review focuses on pharmacological treatments for SCI, addressing spasticity, neuropathic pain, neuroprotection, neurotransmission, and oxidative stress within the injured spinal cord. The review highlights new potential mechanisms of drug action for prevention or treatment of SCI effects, serving as an overview of available treatments and an evaluation of future possibilities.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Numerous in vivo animal studies (mice, rats, monkeys)

Evidence Level

Review of in vivo studies

Key Findings

1
The review identifies multiple potential therapeutic targets, including modulation of inflammation with nanotherapeutics, heme oxygenases, and apelin-13; reduction of oxidative stress; and neuro-regeneration strategies.
2
Several promising interventions are highlighted, such as gene therapy with hyperinterleukin-6, TrkB agonist antibodies, and RhoA/ROCK inhibitors, demonstrating potential for axon regeneration and functional recovery.
3
The review discusses the role of various drugs and therapies in managing spasticity and muscle loss, including escitalopram, tolperisone, baclofen, and botulinum toxin, highlighting their benefits and potential side effects.

Research Summary

This review summarizes recent developments in pharmacotherapy for spinal cord injuries (SCI), focusing on treatments addressing motor dysfunction, spasticity, neuropathic pain, and oxidative stress. The paper evaluates new potential mechanisms of drug activity that could prevent or treat the effects of SCI. The paper is also an evaluation of new potential mechanisms of activity The review highlights that by consolidating contemporary pharmaceutical care knowledge and medical discoveries, it may inspire and contribute to validating existing scientific theories, to improve the lives of patients with tetraplegia and paraplegia.

Practical Implications

Drug Development

Identifies potential targets for new drug development aimed at neuroprotection and axon regeneration.

Clinical Trials

Supports further research and clinical trials for promising therapies like RhoA/ROCK inhibitors and anti-inflammatory nanotherapeutics.

Personalized Treatment

Highlights the need for personalized treatment strategies based on the specific needs of SCI patients, considering factors like spasticity, pain, and muscle loss.

Study Limitations

1
Focus primarily on in vivo animal studies
2
Limited discussion of long-term effects of therapies
3
The anti-inflammatory drugs known so far do not penetrate the blood–spinal cord barrier

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