Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2014, Vol. 9 ›› Issue (3): 229-231.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.128212

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Bridging the injured spinal cord with neural stem cells

Jennifer N. Dulin1, Paul Lu1, 2   

  1. 1 Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; 2 Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
  • Online:2014-02-15 Published:2014-02-15
  • Supported by:

    This work was funded by grants from the Veterans Administration, the Canadian Spinal Research Organization and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

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Abstract:

Spinal cord injury (SCI) damages not only the gray matter neurons, but also the white matter axonal tracts that carry signals to and from the brain, resulting permanent loss of function below injury. Neural stem cells (NSCs) have high therapeutic potential for reconstruction of the injured spinal cord since they can potentially form neuronal relays to bridge functional connectivity between separated spinal cord segments. This requires host axonal regeneration into and connectivity with donor neurons, and axonal growth and connectivity of donor neurons to host central nervous system (CNS) circuitry. In this minireview, we will discuss key studies that explore novel neuronal relay formation by grafting NSCs in models of SCI, with emphasis on long-distance axonal growth and connectivity of NSCs grafted into injured spinal cord.