Axonal regeneration and recovery from chronic central nervous system injury

Abstract

Damage to the adult brain or spinal cord commonly produces persistent dysfunction without recovery. To replace lost neurons, stem cells, trophic factors, and transplantation of neural-competent cells might be relevant. Treatment of dysfunction based on the disconnection of surviving neurons requires the axonal regeneration from remaining neurons and a degree of plasticity in neuronal connectivity. Those neurological conditions in which axonal regeneration and plasticity are most relevant are reviewed here. Recent scientific advances are likely to lead to the development of a novel group of therapeutics targeting axonal regeneration for the recovery of function in chronic neurological dysfunction. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.