FIG. 1.

The difference in the approach and location of electrical stimulation following spinal cord injury of the four applications discussed in this review are summarized. (A) Cortical stimulation to activate growth promoting cellular pathways with the intention to promote axonal outgrowth (i.e., collateral sprouting and regeneration). (B) Using electrical fields across the spinal lesion to promote axonal growth (i.e., regeneration) through the lesion. (C) Paired stimulation (here cortex and a peripheral nerve) to strengthen synaptic connections by coactivating pre- and post-synaptic neurons. (D) Electrical stimulation to activate (or facilitate activation) of spinal circuitry below the level of the injury.