The mechanism behind functional recovery after the incomplete spinal cord injury

Because the regenerative capability of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) is poor, limited functional recovery occurs during the chronic phase of spinal cord injury (SCI). At the subacute phase of SCI, however, gradual functional recovery is observed to some extent in both rodents and humans in the incomplete SCI. Although the mechanism behind this functional recovery is not fully elucidated, considerable developments of knowledge in basic experimental research have resulted in an improved understanding of functional recovery after injury. In this review, we discuss the progress of research for the potential mechanisms underlying for spontaneous functional recovery, including healing process by reactive astrocytes and the propriospinal relay connections in the incomplete SCI.