Spinal Cord Injury: A Review of Current Therapy, Future Treatments, and Basic Science Frontiers

• Published in: Neurochemical research Vol. 38; no. 5; pp. 895 - 905
• Main Authors: Varma, Abhay K., Das, Arabinda, Wallace, Gerald, Barry, John, Vertegel, Alexey A., Ray, Swapan K., Banik, Naren L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-05-2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Case reports; Cell Biology; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Neurochemistry; Neurology; Neurosciences; Overview; Spinal Cord Injuries - epidemiology; Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology; Spinal Cord Injuries - therapy; United States - epidemiology; United States; Clinical; Spinal cord injury; Preclinical
• ISSN: 0364-3190; 1573-6903
• DOI: 10.1007/s11064-013-0991-6

The incidence of acute and chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States is more than 10,000 per year, resulting in 720 cases per million persons enduring permanent disability each year. The economic impact of SCI is estimated to be more than 4 billion dollars annually. Preclinical studies, case reports, and small clinical trials suggest that early treatment may improve neurological recovery. To date, no proven therapeutic modality exists that has demonstrated a positive effect on neurological outcome. Emerging data from recent preclinical and clinical studies offer hope for this devastating condition. This review gives an overview of current basic research and clinical studies for the treatment of SCI.