Jessica C.F. Kwok, PhD
Associate Professor in Neuroscience, University of Leeds

Abstract

Enhancing Neuroplasticity for Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury: a Potential Oral Treatment

The formation of glial scar and its concomitant upregulation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) have long been considered a major impediment for recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Chondroitinase ABC, an enzyme which degrades chondroitin sulfates, is a good laboratory tool but lacks translational potential. We have recently discovered an oral treatment which bears pharmacological features for human usage and can reduce CSPGs in the glial scar, leading to functional recovery in pre-clinical models. In this talk, I shall highlight our recent work with this oral treatment and their efficacy and safety in pre-clinical SCI models. 
 

Bio
Dr. Jessica Kwok is an Associate Professor in Neuroscience at the University of Leeds. Her lab focuses on elucidating how extracellular matrix (ECM) in the brain regulates neuroplasticity. She has shown that perineuronal nets (PNNs), hierarchical ECM structure on the surface of neurones, are enriched in glycosaminoglycans including chondroitin sulfates (CSs) and hyaluronan. Removal of PNNs and CSs increases sprouting and synapse formation in neurones, and facilitates neuronal circuit re-organisation. Her work in the last two decades has played a key role in establishing the now widely accepted concept that the molecular organisation of PNNs controls neuroplasticity. Kwok uses this insight to develop treatment options for plasticity enhancement to recover functional deficits in the central nervous system, such as in spinal cord injury and neurodegeneration.