Nat Med. 2007 May;13(5):561-6.
Courtine G, Bunge MB, Fawcett JW, Grossman RG, Kaas JH, Lemon R, Maier I, Martin J, Nudo RJ, Ramon-Cueto A, Rouiller EM, Schnell L, Wannier T, Schwab ME, Edgerton VR.
Abstract
Progress continues in the development of reparative interventions to enhance recovery after experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). Here we discuss to what extent rodent models of SCI have limitations for ensuring the efficacy and safety of treatments for humans, and under what circumstances it would be advantageous or necessary to test treatments in nonhuman primates before clinical trials. We discuss crucial differences in the organization of the motor systems and behaviors among rodents, nonhuman primates and humans, and argue that studies in nonhuman primates are critical for the translation of some potential interventions to treat SCI in humans.