Mechanisms of axonal regeneration after central nervous system injury

Abstract

It has been long stated that the majority of neurons in the adult mammalian CNS have a very limited capacity for spontaneous axonal regeneration after injury. However, the situation is quite different in lower vertebrates such as teleost fish and amphibians. These species have the ability to regenerate severed CNS axons and re-establish connections to form synaptic contacts to the suitable target sites, allowing functional recovery. Recent research findings have indicated that the failure of successful axonal regeneration in the matured mammalian CNS is not simply due to intrinsic properties of neurons, but depends greatly on the post-lesion environments which are known to be non-permissive for the regrowing of axons. There are numbers of factors present in the injured CNS environment that impede the regrowth of injured axons. There are also factors in the CNS environment which act as inhibitory or promoting factors. Imbalances in these factors within the CNS environment all contribute to the collapse of axon growth. These inhibitory molecules include MAG, Nogo, OMgp and CSPG. Neurotrophic factors and cell adhesion molecules are factors required to promote successful axon regeneration and path finding in the CNS.

Date of Award	12 Oct 2013
Original language	English
Supervisor	Kuldip Bedi (Supervisor) & Kevin John Ashton (Supervisor)