Abstract: Recent advances in endogenous neural stem cells have made regeneration-based therapies feasible as therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injuries. Endogenous neural stem cells of the intact adult spinal cord reside not only in the ependymal layer of the central canal but also in the parenchyma, followed by responses of the activation and migration in the injured spinal cord. The most endogenous neural stem cells differentiate scar forming astrocytes and myelin-forming oligodendrocytes, but not neurogenic neurons. Thus the knowledge in intrinsic program of endogenous neural stem cells differentiation is obviously difficult and crucial for the recovery of spinal cord injury in the present.

Key words: endogenous neural stem cells, spinal cord injury, differentiation, review