Cambridge University Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2008 Sep-Oct;22(5):429-37. doi: 10.1177/1545968307313500. Epub 2008 May 16.
The normal spinal cord coordinates movement and sensation in the body. It is a complex organ containing nerve cells, supporting cells, and nerve fibers to and from the brain. The spinal cord is arranged in segments, with higher segments controlling movement and sensation in the upper parts of the body and lower segments controlling the lower parts of the body. Recent notable discoveries in the fields of neuroscience and cell biology have ensured that many more people survive injuries to the brain and spinal cord. The consequences of injury reflect this organization. Although these developments have been mirrored by significant strides in our understanding of the evolution and pathology of spinal injuries, complete repair of structure and hence function remain elusive. Most spinal cord injuries still cause lifelong disability, and continued research is critically needed. Here we review the molecular and cellular processes that occur during the evolution of an injury to the central nervous system. Throughout, we highlight several promising therapies aimed to restore the disrupted connections in the brain and spinal cord. These, used in combination with supportive care and rehabilitation strategies, may help patients to achieve significant long-term recovery.
正常的脊髓协调着身体的运动和感觉。它是一个复杂的器官，包含神经细胞、支持细胞和进出大脑的神经纤维。脊髓分为节段，较高的节段控制身体上部的运动和感觉，较低的节段控制身体下部的运动和感觉。神经科学和细胞生物学领域的最新显著发现确保了更多的人能够在脑和脊髓受伤后存活下来。受伤的后果反映了这种组织。尽管在我们对脊髓损伤的进化和病理学的理解方面取得了重大进展，但结构和功能的完全修复仍然难以实现。大多数脊髓损伤仍导致终身残疾，因此迫切需要继续研究。在这里，我们回顾了中枢神经系统损伤演变过程中发生的分子和细胞过程。在整个过程中，我们强调了几种有希望的治疗方法，旨在恢复大脑和脊髓中受损的连接。这些方法与支持性护理和康复策略一起使用，可能有助于患者实现显著的长期恢复。
