Advances in Secondary Spinal Cord Injury

作者：Jike Lu, Ken W.S. Ashwell, Phil M.E. Waite · 发表于：Spine · 年份：2000 · DOI：10.1097/00007632-200007150-00022 · 被引用次数：257 · 研究领域：Spinal Cord Injury Research、Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurovascular Disturbances、Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices

The outcome of spinal cord injury depends on the extent of secondary damage produced by a series of cellular and molecular events initiated by the primary trauma. This article reviews the evidence that secondary spinal cord injury involves the apoptotic as well as necrotic death of neurons and glial cells. Also discussed are the major factors that can contribute to cell death, such as glutamatergic excitotoxicity, free radical damage, cytokines, and inflammation. The development of innovative therapeutic strategies to reduce secondary spinal cord injury depends on an increased understanding of secondary injury mechanisms at the molecular and biochemical level. Such therapeutic interventions may include the use of antiapoptotic drugs, free radical scavengers, and anti-inflammatory agents. These could be targeted to block key reactions on cellular and molecular injury cascades, thus reducing secondary tissue damage, minimizing side effects, and improving functional recovery.