Abstract

The precise wiring of the adult mammalian CNS originates during a period of stunning growth, guidance and plasticity that occurs during and shortly after development. When injured in adults, this intricate system fails to regenerate. Even when the obstacles to regeneration are cleared, growing adult CNS fibres usually remain misdirected and fail to reform functional connections. Here, we attempt to fill an important niche related to the topics of nervous system development and regeneration. We specifically contrast the difficulties faced by growing fibres within the adult context to the precise circuit-forming capabilities of developing fibres. In addition to focusing on methods to stimulate growth in the adult, we also expand on approaches to recapitulate development itself.

Author affiliations

1. Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA.

Correspondence to: Stephen M. Strittmatter¹ Email: stephen.strittmatter@yale.edu

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