Future Perspectives in Nerve Repair and Regeneration - International Review of Neurobiology - page 162

CHAPTER EIGHT

Future Perspectives in Nerve
Repair and Regeneration

,1 , Giulia Ronchi † ,1 , Stefano Geuna † ,2 , Bruno Battiston *
* Department of Traumatology, Microsurgery Unit, C.T.O. Hospital, Citt` della Scienza e della Salute, Turin,
Italy
† Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Neuroscience Institute of the Cavalieri Ottolenghi
Foundation (NICO) University of Turin, Orbassano, Italy
1 These authors contributed equally to this work
2 Corresponding author: e-mail address: [e-mail]

Pierluigi Tos *

Contents
1. Introduction 166

2. Changes at the Nerve Level 168

3. Changes Occurring Distally to the Damaged Nerve: Focus on Skeletal Muscle 173

4. Changes Occurring Proximally to the Damaged Nerve 176

4.1 Changes in the DRGs after peripheral nerve injury and regeneration 176

4.2 CNS plasticity induced by peripheral nerve injury and regeneration 177

5. How to Study Peripheral Nerve Regeneration? 179

6. Conclusions 183

Acknowledgments 184

References 184

Abstract
After peripheral nerve injuries, the process of nerve regeneration and target rein-
nervation is very complex and depends on many different events occurring not only
at the lesion site but also proximally and distally to it. In spite of the recent scientific
and technological advancements, the need to find out new strategies to improve clin-
ical nerve repair and regeneration remains. To reach this goal, the therapeutic strategy
should thus exert its effects at different levels in order to simultaneously potentiate axo-
nal regeneration, increase neuronal survival, modulate central reorganization, and
inhibit or reduce target organ atrophy. It is expected that this multilevel approach might
lead to significant improvement in the functional outcome and thus the quality of life of
the patients suffering from peripheral nerve injury.