Enhancing Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury Through Neuroplasticity: A Comprehensive Review
Yuanyuan Wu, Yimeng Gao, Ting Feng, Jia‐Sheng Rao, Can Zhao
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological condition that typically results in irreversible loss of motor and sensory function. Emerging evidence indicates that neuroplasticity, the ability of the nervous system to reorganize by forming new neural connections, plays a pivotal role in structural and functional recovery post-injury. This insight lays the groundwork for the development of rehabilitation and therapeutic strategies designed to leverage neuroplasticity. In this review, we offer an exhaustive overview of the neuroplastic alterations and mechanisms that occur following an SCI. We examine the role of neuroplasticity in functional recovery and outline therapeutic approaches designed to augment neuroplasticity post-SCI. The process of neuroplasticity post-SCI involves several physiological processes, such as neurogenesis, synaptic remodeling, dendritic spine formation, and axonal sprouting. Together, these processes contribute to the reestablishment of neural circuits and functional restoration. Enhancing neuroplasticity is a promising strategy for improving functional outcomes post-SCI; however, its effectiveness is influenced by numerous factors, including age, injury severity, time since the injury, and the specific therapeutic interventions employed. A variety of strategies have been suggested to promote neuroplasticity and expedite recovery, including pharmacological treatments, biomaterial-based therapies, gene editing, stem cell transplantation, and rehabilitative training. The combination of personalized rehabilitation programs with innovative therapeutic techniques holds considerable potential for maximizing the benefits of neuroplasticity and enhancing clinical outcomes in SCI management.