The neuroplastic and therapeutic potential of interneurons in the injured spinal cord
Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: There is a growing appreciation for spontaneous anatomical and functional changes, or neuroplasticity, after spinal cord injury. One key element of neuroplasticity recently identified are spinal interneurons. The work presented in this thesis identifies a specific population of spinal interneurons that contribute to respiratory plasticity - the excitatory, ipsilaterally projecting population of V2a SpINs - after high cervical spinal cord injury (Aim 1). Building upon these results, we transplanted neural progenitor cells enriched with stem-cell derived V2a interneurons and found that donor cells promoted anatomical and functional repair of the phrenic (respiratory) circuit. These studies serve as a basis for ongoing work focused on identifying other interneuronal phenotypes that may be beneficial for both motor and sensory repair after injury. Understanding the neuroplastic and therapeutic potential of spinal interneurons may help identify novel therapeutic targets for functional repair of the central nervous system.
DOI: 10.17918/0f16-xf58
Authors: Lyandysha Viktorovna Zholudeva, Michael A. Lane
Institutions: University of Dhaka, Drexel University
Language: English
Topic: Spinal Cord Injury Research
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Award: G1394151085
OpenAlex ID: W4205974646