Trends Neurosci, 2018 · DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2018.06.004 · Published: September 1, 2018
The central nervous system exhibits neuroplasticity, meaning it can change at the synapse, cell, and circuit level after injury or disease. Spinal interneurons (SpINs) are crucial for these neuroplastic changes, especially in locomotor and respiratory circuits affected by spinal cord injury. This review explores how spinal neuroplasticity, involving SpINs, can be therapeutically used to aid recovery after spinal cord injury.
Understanding SpIN subtypes allows for the development of targeted therapies to promote adaptive plasticity and limit maladaptive changes after SCI.
Cellular engineering techniques can be used to create specific SpIN subtypes for transplantation, potentially enhancing motor recovery or treating spasticity.
Recognizing the role of SpINs in respiratory function post-SCI can lead to treatments that improve breathing and reduce the need for assisted ventilation.