This was the first neuroprotective therapy shown to be effective in human spinal cord injury. It cannot be given for longer than 48 hours without adverse consequences. Therefore, we have been systematically studying a number of other treatments in our standardized spinal cord injury model, to find a second generation therapy to replace methylprednisolone. Most spinal cord axons are covered with myelin, a material produced by cells called oligodendroglia. Myelin allows axons to to conduct efficiently.
Most people have some surviving axons even after severe injury.
Because the injury also damaged oligodendroglia, the surviving axons are often demyelinated and do not remyelinated adequately. A drug called 4-aminopyridine appears to improve conduction in demyelinated axons. Animal studies suggest that several therapies can remyelinate the spinal cord, including antibodies that stimulate remyelination and transplantation of oligodendroglia and other cells. Several studies have decisively overturned the long-held dogma that the spinal cord cannot regenerate. Other investigators have shown that they can regenerate the spinal cord.