PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES:

At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants will be able to:

1.   Define and discuss factors preventing axon regeneration after traumatic spinal cord injury.

2.   Define the role of glial scar tissue and the expression of chondrotin sulfate proteoglycans by a variety of scar associated cell types in preventing axon regeneration across spinal cord injuries.

3.   Discuss the role of inflammation in promoting glial scar formation and the deposition of axon growth inhibitory proteoglycans after traumatic spinal cord injury.

4.   Outline the use of mini pump infusion of a novel suppressor of glial scar formation, human recombinant decorin, to promote axon growth across acute spinal cord injuries.

5.   Describe the ability of intra-lesion transplants of type-1 astrocytes derived from glial restricted precursors to support the growth of adult sensory axons across acute spinal cord injuries.

6.   Define and discuss which complementary strategies are likely to be required to promote efficient regeneration of axons across spinal cord injuries.