Targeting axon guidance cues for neural circuit repair after spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injuries often lead to loss of sensory and motor functions, but the nervous system's ability to adapt allows some functional recovery through new axon growth and synaptic connections. Axon guidance molecules, like Wnt proteins, play a crucial role in directing axon growth and can be targeted to enhance recovery after spinal cord injury. Combining axon guidance strategies with neuroprotection and rehabilitation techniques holds promise for improving recovery outcomes in anatomically incomplete spinal cord injuries, and may be applicable to traumatic brain injury and stroke.

• 1
  Wnt signaling, particularly the Wnt-Ryk pathway, inhibits axon regeneration after spinal cord injury, causing corticospinal tract axon retraction.
• 2
  Blocking Wnt-mediated inhibition of axon growth, especially through Ryk conditional knockout, can lead to improved functional recovery by promoting axon collateral growth and neuronal network reorganization.
• 3
  Functional recovery after blocking Wnt-mediated inhibition does not require complete restoration of original connections, as new connections or strengthened existing ones can support significant functional gains.