摘要
Neurons in the central nervous system （CNS） of adult mammals have a weak intrinsic regenerative capacity, which is one contributing factor to the failure of axonal regeneration. Finding the means to elevate the regenerative capacity of axotomised neurons is one requirement for successful regeneration. Forty-five years ago, it was reported that crushing of the sciatic nerves of adult mice two weeks before cutting the nerves accelerated the regrowth of their axons （McQuarrie and Grafstein, 1973）. The nerve injury two weeks before triggered the regeneration machinery in the injured neurons, leading to faster axonal regrowth after a subsequent lesion. Later it was found that a lesion to a peripheral nerve also strongly enhanced the regeneration of the central branches of the appropriate primary sensory neurons （Richardson and Issa, 1984）. This phenomenon is termed preconditioning lesion （or conditioning lesion if the central branches of the sensory neurons are injured after a concomitant in- jury to their peripheral branches）.
Neurons in the central nervous system （CNS） of adult mammals have a weak intrinsic regenerative capacity, which is one contributing factor to the failure of axonal regeneration. Finding the means to elevate the regenerative capacity of axotomised neurons is one requirement for successful regeneration. Forty-five years ago, it was reported that crushing of the sciatic nerves of adult mice two weeks before cutting the nerves accelerated the regrowth of their axons （McQuarrie and Grafstein, 1973）. The nerve injury two weeks before triggered the regeneration machinery in the injured neurons, leading to faster axonal regrowth after a subsequent lesion. Later it was found that a lesion to a peripheral nerve also strongly enhanced the regeneration of the central branches of the appropriate primary sensory neurons （Richardson and Issa, 1984）. This phenomenon is termed preconditioning lesion （or conditioning lesion if the central branches of the sensory neurons are injured after a concomitant in- jury to their peripheral branches）.
