Preserving Function in Acute Nervous System Injury

Edward D. Hall, Patrick G. Sullivan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

This chapter reviews the ability to translate neuroprotective effects of pharmacological agents in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) models into successful clinical trials. So far, the discovery and development of high dose methylprednisolone (MP) therapy in acute SCI are arguably the most successful demonstration of clinical neuroprotection to date. TBI and SCI are two of the most catastrophic medical events that human beings can experience. The potential for pharmacological intervention to preserve neurological function after TBI and SCI exists because most of the neurodegeneration that follows these injuries is not because of the primary mechanical insult but rather as a result of secondary injury events. Nevertheless, the anatomical continuity of the injured spinal cord in majority of the cases, together with the present knowledge of many of the factors involved in secondary injury process, has led to the notion that pharmacological treatments that interrupt secondary cascade, if applied early, could improve spinal cord tissue survival and thus preserve necessary anatomical substrates for functional recovery to take place.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFrom NEUROSCIENCE To NEUROLOGY
Pages35-59
Number of pages25
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Dentistry
  • General Medicine

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