The role of rehabilitation and methodological problems in spinal cord repair therapies.

Despite the rapid development of studies of spinal cord repair therapies (SCRT), there is still a dearth of reliable reports on their clinical usefulness. Basing on a review of current literature, this article emphasises the role and special character of comprehensive rehabilitation based on the modulation of central nervous system plasticity in the treatment of spinal cord injuries with the use of SCRT. Basing on guidelines by the International Campaign for Cures of Spinal Cord Injury Paralysis (ICCP), this article also discusses ethical and methodological issues of SCRT studies.

Repair therapies in spinal cord injuries.

Spinal cord repair therapies (SCRT) are experimental treatments which are attracting a growing interest among both spinal cord injury sufferers and their families as well as physicians and physiotherapists. Basing on current professional literature, this article presents the most important SCRT strategies. The majority of currently developed SCRTs are at the stage of experimental in vitro or animal studies.

Strategies for neuroprotection following spinal cord injury.

Progress in neuropathology has made possible the description of local responses of neural tissue in early stages after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The recent identification of multiple factors responsible for secondary spinal cord damage and for potential regenerative abilities has not resulted in the development of a standard for neuroprotective therapy in SCI patients. The paper reviews current knowledge concerning the sequence of biochemical events in the injured spinal cord and gives an overview of therapeutic possibilities for preventing the spread of secondary injury.