Tamoxifen: an FDA approved drug with neuroprotective effects for spinal cord injury recovery

Neural Regeneration Research, 2016 · DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.189164 · Published: August 1, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Neurology

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) initiates a cascade of molecular and cellular events that generates a non-permissive environment for cell survival and axonal regeneration. Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is an FDA approved drug with several neuroprotective properties that should be considered for the treatment of this devastating condition. Results suggest that the mechanism of action of Tamoxifen administration is to modulate anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-gliotic responses.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Various animal models

Evidence Level

Review of animal studies

Key Findings

1
Tamoxifen has beneficial effects in improving functional locomotor recovery after SCI in various animal models.
2
Tamoxifen modulates anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-gliotic responses after SCI.
3
Tamoxifen administration up to 24 hours after SCI produced significant behavioral recovery.

Research Summary

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a condition without a cure, affecting sensory and/or motor functions. The multiple events activated after SCI require a multi-active drug that could target most of these events and produce a permissive environment for cell survival, regeneration, vascular reorganization and synaptic formation. Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is an FDA approved drug with several neuroprotective properties that should be considered for the treatment of this devastating condition.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Tamoxifen, an FDA-approved drug, could be repurposed for treating SCI due to its neuroprotective properties.

Mechanism Understanding

Further research is needed to understand the precise mechanisms of tamoxifen's neuroprotective effects, including sex differences and optimal therapeutic windows.

Combination Therapies

Tamoxifen may be used in combination with other therapies like exercise or stem cell transplantation to enhance recovery after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Gap of knowledge exists regarding the sex differences in response to Tamoxifen
2
The therapeutic window available to administer this treatment needs to be determined
3
The effects of Tamoxifen in axonal outgrowth or synapse formation needs to be investigated

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