Abstract:

The peripheral nervous system, in contrast to the central nervous system, is capable of spontaneous regeneration. However, nerve reconstruction in the peripheral nervous system remains a major challenge, as the functional outcomes following nerve repair are variable. Quantitative parameters such as the number of regenerating axons and degree of myelination are crucial, but correct axon target organ allocation, time to regeneration and target organ quality are also equally important. Sialic acid of glycoproteins and gangliosides plays an integral role in the development and regeneration of the nervous system, as well as in neural plasticity. Polysialylation of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is an important posttranslational modification that is crucial to the development of the nervous system. Polysialylation of NCAM decreases during adulthood, but increases again after nerve injury and thus contributes to regeneration success.