Introduction:
The spinal cord is a long cylindrical tubular structure composed of nervous tissue and nerves. It connects the brain to the lower back via a canal running in the central aspect of the spine. The spinal cord is protected and covered by means of three layers of tissues, just like the brain. They aid in the transmission of nerve impulses and blood vessels. It sends the nerve signals (information) to the body parts from the brain in a contrariwise pattern. The spinal cord constitutes a million nerve cells that can coordinate complex movements, including walking, running, and breathing. Therefore, any damage or injury to the spinal cord can affect its function and movement.
What Is Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury is known for damage to any region of the spinal cord or its spinal nerves. The injury could result in damage to the tightly composed bundles of cells and nerves, affecting the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and the other parts of the body. In addition, a direct injury or indirect injury to the surrounding tissues and vertebral bones is attributable to the spinal cord injury. The damage can culminate in temporary or permanent damage in certain determinants, such as movement, sensation, strength, and functions.
Types of Spinal Cord Injury:
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Incomplete Injury: The injury is incomplete, where the spinal cord can still function in the transmission of neural signals with the brain. So, sensory and motor functions, in certain degrees, can be retained beneath the injury site.
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Complete Injury: The nerve communication is completely lost beneath the site of injury. In addition, the sensory and motor functions are disturbed.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury?
The symptoms and effects of the spinal cord injury depend upon the location and severity. However, the most common signs and symptoms of spinal cord injury include the following;
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Numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation in the extremities.
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Pain in the neck, head, or back.
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Loss or changes in movements.
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Body weakness.
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Inability or minimal ability to move any body part.
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Abnormal positions of the head or spine.
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Loss of bowel and bladder control.
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Difficulty in breathing.
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Difficulty walking.
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Paralysis in abrupt or chronic instances.
How Does the Regeneration and Recovery of Spinal Cord Injury Occur?
There are certain existing theories for central nervous system (CNS) regeneration that might not be actual. So, the statements were once affiliated as challenging yet impossible for change and regeneration, as the research on CNS and spinal cord regeneration eventuate. Nevertheless, in those theories of regeneration domination in the neurosciences, three of them have been accepted and explained the reason about the central nervous system of adults cannot regenerate. The three theories are discussed below.
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Nogo: A molecule present in the myelin protective sheath across the nerve fibers of the CNS and spinal cord prevents or blocks the growth of the axon.
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Glial Scars: This theory says the role of glial scars. So, it is a form of tissue that is formed in a process after the injury in the CNS. The process is called astrogliosis, where the astrocytes drive to the injury site and surround the site, forming a protective barrier. The theory describes that this process and the scars can inhibit the growth of the axon.
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Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans: The chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSP) block or prevent axonal growth.
However, animal research on spinal cord regeneration has been reported and undertaken regardless of the theories like nogo and glial scars. One particular study shows that prevention of glial scar formation decreased the rate of stimulated axon regrowth. This describes that preventing or blocking the glial scar formation can induce negative outcomes in the spinal cord and CNS. Therefore, it is still a bias of the positive and adverse effects of spinal cord regeneration. But, new aspects are open to future research and descriptions in neuroscience.
How Long Does the Spinal Cord Take To Regenerate Following an Injury?
The recovery and regeneration of the spinal cord following an injury or disease depends upon the level and severity of the injury. The rapid rate of improvements can be seen within the first six months. Nevertheless, people with severe degrees of injury notice small improvements for up to one to two years.
What Are the Key Principles of Spinal Cord Regeneration?
There are four significant principles of spinal cord repair and regeneration as stated by the multidisciplinary approach of neuro regeneration and research of spinal cord injuries. They include the following:
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Prevention of further damage to the surviving nerve cells.
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Replacement and restoration of the damaged cells.
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Reconstructing the neural circuits for the restoration of body functions.
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Stimulation of the axons for regeneration in conjugation with directing the connections.
What Is the Role of Stem Cells in Spinal Cord Regeneration?
Certain studies and clinical findings describe that spinal cord injury survivors can recover minimal degrees of functional movements with stem cell injection therapy. Therefore, it is evident that stem cells play a vital part in spinal cord regeneration. One such animal-based research study utilized stem cells on a self-limiting basis from the olfactory system on enzyme secretion to help enhance axonal growth. Another study showed that grafting certain stem cells into the spinal cords of rodents with spinal cord injury as a means that they would morph into distinct stem cells within the spinal cord. This grafting somehow promoted spinal cord axis regeneration along with functional recoveries. In contrast, several studies and experiments are addressing and focussing on the elimination of the barriers that are on the route to attaining the regeneration of the spinal cord.
Conclusion
Spinal cord injury is one of the most debilitating conditions, affecting daily functions with sensations, movements, and body functions. So, it is a significant and profound concern that requires immediate medical attention and effective intervention with a means to restore function. The research and studies are still in progress to find the right and effective means of spinal cord regeneration. The studies and clinical trials on animals can be advanced in moving on to the humans-based trials for the evaluation of the spinal cord nerves and tissue regeneration with incredible advancements.
