Training and anti-CSPG combination therapy for spinal cord injury

Combining different therapies is a promising strategy to promote spinal cord repair, by targeting axon plasticity and functional circuit reconnectivity. In particular, digestion of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans at the site of the injury by the activity of the bacterial enzyme chondrotinase ABC, together with the development of intensive task specific motor rehabilitation has shown synergistic effects to promote behavioural recovery. This review describes the mechanisms by which chondroitinase ABC and motor rehabilitation promote neural plasticity and we discuss their additive and independent effects on promoting behavioural recovery. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.