Axoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ release causes secondary degeneration of spinal axons

Abstract

Ca(2+) release from intra-axonal Ca(2+) stores, distributed along the length of the axon, contributes significantly to secondary degeneration of axons. This refocuses our approach to protecting spinal white matter tracts, where emphasis has been placed on limiting Ca(2+) entry from the extracellular space across cell membranes, and emphasizes that modulation of axonal Ca(2+) stores may be a key pharmacotherapeutic goal in spinal cord injury.