Spinal Cord

Description

The Spinal Cord is a component of the Central Nervous System that is enclosed by the Vertebral Column - it extends from the lower end of the Medulla of the Brain Stem to the tailbone (coccyx) and consists of a mass of Neurons (including White Matter - Glial Cells - and specialized "non-thinking" Gray Matter) and various Tracts.

Nervous System

 Nerve Impulses initiated by the Central Nervous System are transmitted via the Spinal Cord to various target sites within the body.

 Nerve Impulses conducted by the Peripheral Nervous System are transmitted to the Central Nervous System via the Spinal Cord.

 Large numbers of Opioids and Opioid Receptors are located in the Substantia Gelatinosa of the Dorsal Horn of the Spinal Cord.

 The Spinal Cord contains 31 pairs of Spinal Nerves.

Amino Acids

 Carnitine may be useful for the treatment of (ischemic) injuries to the Spinal Cord:  ^[1]

 Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) may be useful for the treatment of Spinal Cord injuries.  ^[2]

 Glycine functions as an Inhibitory Neurotransmitter in the Spinal Cord (it inhibits the excessive generation of Nerve Impulses within the Spinal Cord).  ^[3]

 N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) may help to prevent secondary injury after Spinal Cord injury.  ^[4]

 Taurine may be useful for the treatment of Spinal Cord injuries.  ^[5]

Hormones

 Pregnenolone (administered orally or applied topically to the Spinal Cord) may facilitate the healing of otherwise crippling injuries to the Spinal Cord (treatment must be commenced as soon as possible after the Spinal Cord injury).  ^[6]