title: Training and anti-CSPG combination therapy for spinal cord injury.
abstract: Combining different therapies is a promising strategy to promote spinal cord repair, by targeting axon plasticity and functional circuit reconnectivity. In particular, digestion of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans at the site of the injury by the activity of the bacterial enzyme chondrotinase ABC, together with the development of intensive task specific motor rehabilitation has shown synergistic effects to promote behavioural recovery. This review describes the mechanisms by which chondroitinase ABC and motor rehabilitation promote neural plasticity and we discuss their additive and independent effects on promoting behavioural recovery.
authors.affiliation: Dept. Integrative Biology & Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: García-Alías
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Fawcett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D011508:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase