The impact of aging on locomotor recovery in preclinical models of traumatic spinal cord injury: a systematic review - Takeaways - MDSpire

The impact of aging on locomotor recovery in preclinical models of traumatic spinal cord injury: a systematic review

  • By

  • Aniqah I. Bhatti

  • Zhikai Li

  • Natalia Jagodzinska

  • Yuhan Guo

  • Faheem I. Bhatti

  • Zainab I. Bhatti

  • Jamie F. M. Brannigan

  • Benjamin M. Davies

  • Mark R. Kotter

  • Oliver D. Mowforth

  • June 1, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Aging negatively impacts locomotor recovery following spinal cord injury in animal models, as evidenced by lower BBB scores in older animals.

  • 2

    Nine studies were included in the review, with over 340 animals categorized into young, intermediate, and aged groups based on age.

  • 3

    The Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor score was the primary outcome measure in 77.8% of the studies reviewed.

  • 4

    Exercise interventions prior to and following injury may enhance locomotor recovery in aged rats, potentially equalizing outcomes with younger rats.

  • 5

    Future research should explore mechanisms of age-related recovery deficits and evaluate therapies to improve neuroplasticity in older populations.

Original Source(s)

The impact of aging on locomotor recovery in preclinical models of traumatic spinal cord injury: a systematic review

  • by Aniqah I. Bhatti, Zhikai Li, Natalia Jagodzinska, Yuhan Guo, Faheem I. Bhatti, Zainab I. Bhatti, Jamie F. M. Brannigan, Benjamin M. Davies, Mark R. Kotter, Oliver D. Mowforth

  • June 1, 2026

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