Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs in moments but it establishes a cascade of biological responses affecting not just the nervous system but also the immune and circulatory systems as well. These events occur in three phases with the first being defined as occurring immediately after injury. The second, defined as occurring during the first minutes and weeks and the third taking place over months and even years post trauma. Each phase leaves behind it a telltale fingerprint of damage and change – each fingerprint leads in turn to the identity of a potential therapeutic intervention.

In the early stages, dying cells spill damaging molecules into their surroundings, compromising neighbouring healthy, cells which then die, releasing further damaging molecules. The spinal cord also goes into a state of shock caused by reduced blood flow and swelling in the cord.

The second phase sees a continuation of events seen in the first but now the immune system becomes involved, sending in cells to clear up the damage. Unfortunately, in the spinal cord, this well-intentioned activity results in further damage.

In the final phase, many of the cells brought to the injury site during earlier phases create a tangled and unnatural environment which becomes fluid filled and scarred which effectively halts nerve regeneration and results in paralysis.

What can be done to help?
Spinal Research funds studies in the most promising areas of research. With our funding scientists have shown that each of these approaches can regenerate damaged neurons in the spinal cord and has the potential to restore meaningful function to an injured patient. It is important that research continues in each area, because, as yet, no one knows which is likely to be the most successful. In fact, a combination of approaches is likely to be most effective.

To find out more about these areas see the links on the left.