THERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVES WITH STEM CELLS IN SPINAL CORD INJURIES: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.1593742318092

• Palavras-chave: spinal cord injuries, stem cell transplantation, neuronal plasticity, nerve regeneration and efficacy.

• Keywords: spinal cord injuries, stem cell transplantation, neuronal plasticity, nerve regeneration and efficacy.

• Abstract:

  Spinal cord injuries represent a devastating condition that affects patients' quality of life and challenges healthcare professionals and researchers. This article presents an integrative review on stem cell therapy as a promising approach for treating spinal cord injuries. The review was carried out through a systematic search in scientific databases, including studies published from 2007 to 2023. Studies that addressed the effectiveness and challenges of stem cell therapy in animal models and clinical trials related to spinal cord injuries were considered. spinal cord. The following descriptors were used: spinal cord injuries, stem cell transplantation, neuronal plasticity, nerve regeneration and efficacy. Analysis of studies revealed that stem cell therapy demonstrated efficacy in promoting regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injuries. Neural plasticity and long-lasting reorganization of the corticospinal tract have been identified as important mechanisms in recovery. Human clinical trials have demonstrated promising advances but highlighted the continued need for standardization of protocols and ethical considerations. Animal models have played a crucial role in understanding the underlying mechanisms, while the origin of stem cells has also affected cell outcomes and integration. Stem cell therapy in spinal cord injury surgery represents a promising approach, with encouraging results in both preclinical studies and clinical trials. However, significant challenges, such as standardizing therapeutic protocols and ensuring long-term safety, must still be overcome. Continued research, multidisciplinary collaboration, and adaptation to ever-evolving findings are essential to driving advancement in this field, which has the potential to substantially improve the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries.