Spinal Cord Injury: Pathophysiology, Multimolecular Interactions, and Underlying Recovery Mechanisms

• Main Authors: Anam Anjum, Muhammad Da’in Yazid, Muhammad Fauzi Daud, Jalilah Idris, Angela Min Hwei Ng, Amaramalar Selvi Naicker, Ohnmar Htwe@ Rashidah Ismail, Ramesh Kumar Athi Kumar, Yogeswaran Lokanathan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-10-01
• Series: International Journal of Molecular Sciences
• Subjects: spinal cord injury; primary injury; secondary injury; neurodegeneration; neuroprotection; neuro-regeneration
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/20/7533

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a destructive neurological and pathological state that causes major motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunctions. Its pathophysiology comprises acute and chronic phases and incorporates a cascade of destructive events such as ischemia, oxidative stress, inflammatory events, apoptotic pathways and locomotor dysfunctions. Many therapeutic strategies have been proposed to overcome neurodegenerative events and reduce secondary neuronal damage. Efforts have also been devoted in developing neuroprotective and neuro-regenerative therapies that promote neuronal recovery and outcome. Although varying degrees of success have been achieved, curative accomplishment is still elusive probably due to the complex healing and protective mechanisms involved. Thus, current understanding in this area must be assessed to formulate appropriate treatment modalities to improve SCI recovery. This review aims to promote the understanding of SCI pathophysiology, interrelated or interlinked multimolecular interactions and various methods of neuronal recovery i.e., neuroprotective, immunomodulatory and neuro-regenerative pathways and relevant approaches.