{"id":"dd633abe-9474-4fb4-97cd-a81cda450ee7","slug":"from-the-bench-to-the-bedside-taxol-for-spinal-cord-injury-dendritic-changes-in-neurons-of-peri-infarct-cortex-neuronal-activation-and-blood-flow-normal-gut-flora-and-brain-development-and-targete","title":"From the bench to the bedside: Taxol for spinal cord injury, dendritic changes in neurons of peri-infarct cortex, neuronal activation and blood flow, normal gut flora and brain development and targeted plasticity for neurological disease","authors":["Jason S. Hauptman"],"abstract":"Background: The fibrotic scar is a significant barrier to axonal recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). Microtubule dynamics play a crucial role in scar formation, and Taxol, an FDA-approved anticancer agent, stabilizes microtubules and prevents their disassembly. This study investigates whether Taxol treatment can enhance axon regeneration after SCI by reducing scar formation. Methods: The authors utilized an SCI model involving a hemisected spinal cord at T8, with local infusion of low concentrations of Taxol. They assessed the effects of Taxol on scar formation, axonal regeneration, and functional recovery in treated versus vehicle-treated animals. Additionally, they examined the impact of Taxol on the TGF-β pathway and the production of fibronectin by meningeal cells. Results: Taxol treatment resulted in decreased levels of fibrotic scar components without altering injury size, and it inhibited the TGF-β pathway. Treated animals exhibited significantly greater axon regeneration and improved locomotion compared to controls, with continued functional improvement observed in Taxol-treated animals beyond the initial recovery period. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that Taxol effectively enhances recovery from SCI by stabilizing microtubules and inhibiting fibrotic scar formation, suggesting potential for repurposing FDA-approved therapies in CNS injury treatment. Keywords: spinal cord injury, Taxol, axon regeneration, fibrotic scar, microtubules, TGF-β pathway, functional recovery","thumbnailUrl":null,"publishDate":"2011-02-17T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.78108","categories":["Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/dd633abe-9474-4fb4-97cd-a81cda450ee7/pdf"}