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Metabolites are generally viewed as intermediates or products of metabolism. However, many metabolites are also signalling molecules that regulate metabolic reactions and other processes in development, homeostasis and disease. As such, metabolites can confer adaptive responses to environmental changes.
The inability of the mammalian central nervous system to functionally regenerate after injury is largely attributable to the limited capacity of injured neurons to regrow axons. In the spinal cord, recent work on the mechanisms restricting axon regrowth suggests new therapeutic avenues to promote functional recovery after damage.
