Neurogenesis in the Adult Spinal Cord: Harnessing the Potential for Recovery Following Injury

Abstract

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in significant long-term disabilities. Despite the limited regenerative capacity of the adult spinal cord, neurogenesis offers promising avenues for recovery. Objective: To investigate the potential for harnessing neurogenesis in the adult spinal cord as a therapeutic strategy for recovery following spinal cord injury, and to assess the efficacy of stem cell-based treatments. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UC Davis, between January 2023 and June 2024. The study involved 144 SCI patients who received either stem cell-based therapy or standard rehabilitation. Neurogenesis markers were assessed using immunohistochemistry and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The study evaluated changes in neurological function (measured by ASIA scale), stem cell proliferation, and migration over a 6-month follow-up period. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and correlation with clinical outcomes, using SPSS version 26. Results: Among the 144 patients, 72 (50%) underwent stem cell therapy, and 72 (50%) received standard rehabilitation. The stem cell group showed a significant improvement in the ASIA scale score, increasing by 32% (p < 0.05). MRI analysis revealed a 22% increase in neurogenesis markers in treated areas (p < 0.01). Standard deviation for the stem cell group’s ASIA score improvement was 5.4. The correlation coefficient between neurogenesis and clinical improvement was 0.79 (p < 0.001). The control group showed a 12% improvement (p < 0.05), with a standard deviation of 3.1. Conclusion: Stem cell therapy significantly enhances neurogenesis and functional recovery in SCI patients, outperforming standard rehabilitation. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of neurogenesis in spinal cord injury recovery.