Cellular transplantation and spinal cord injury

SPINAL CORD INJURY is often characterized by immediate and irreversible los s of sensory and motor functions below the level of injury. Cellular transp lantation in various experimental models of spinal cord injury has been use d as a strategy for reducing deficits and improving functional recovery. Th e general strategy has been aimed at promoting regeneration of intrinsic in jured axons with the development of alternative pathways that facilitate a partial functional connection. Other objectives of cellular transplantation studies have included replacement of lost cellular elements, alleviation o f chronic pain, and modulation of the inflammatory response after injury, T his review focuses on the cell types that have been used in spinal cord tra nsplantation studies in the context of evolving biological perspectives, te chnological advances, and new therapeutic strategies and serves as a point of reference for future studies.