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The dark side of neuroplasticity
1Spinal Cord Injury Laboratory, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. abrown@robarts.ca
Experimental Neurology
|November 26, 2011
Summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery involves neuroplasticity, which can cause pain and autonomic dysfunction. Therapies targeting neuroplasticity must balance functional recovery with mitigating adverse effects like autonomic dysreflexia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Spinal Cord Injury Research
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers neuroplasticity, enabling functional recovery but also causing negative outcomes.
- Neuroplasticity involves new synaptic connections and altered synaptic strength, crucial for both recovery and complications.
- Structural neuroplasticity, particularly after SCI, is linked to pain and autonomic dysreflexia (episodic hypertension).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review structural neuroplasticity following SCI.
- To examine the development of pain and autonomic dysreflexia resulting from SCI-induced neuroplasticity.
- To analyze various therapeutic strategies targeting neuroplasticity for SCI treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on structural neuroplasticity after SCI.
- Analysis of neurotrophins like nerve growth factor (NGF) and their role in stimulating neuroplasticity.
- Categorization of therapeutic strategies based on their impact on neuroplasticity: growth stimulation, growth inhibition blocking, and neuroprotection.
Main Results:
- Neuroplasticity in SCI is stimulated by deafferentation and growth-promoting neurotrophins (e.g., NGF).
- Therapies directly increasing NGF show robust effects on neuroplasticity but may increase negative consequences.
- Neuroprotective strategies appear to have the least prevalence of negative outcomes associated with neuroplasticity.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic strategies for SCI must consider the dual nature of neuroplasticity.
- Directly stimulating nerve growth may exacerbate negative outcomes like pain and autonomic dysreflexia.
- Balancing neuroplasticity modulation with neuroprotection is key for effective SCI treatment.
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