Abstract: The adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) coordinates essential functions such as sensation, movement, autonomic control, thought processes, and communication. Consequently, injuries or diseases of the CNS are often associated with devastating and permanent functional impairments because damaged axons normally fail to regenerate. An insufficient neuron-intrinsic growth capacity and an inhibitory environment at the injury site are the leading causes of this regenerative failure. Although numerous strategies addressing these issues have enabled considerable axon regeneration in various experimental injury models, clinically applicable treatment options or drugs promoting functional recovery are not yet available.