The effect of exogenous thyroid hormones on functional recovery of the rat after acute spinal cord compression injury

Abstract
✓ The effect of triiodothyronine (T3) or thyroxine (T4) on functional recovery after acute spinal cord compression injury in the rat was assessed. Rats treated with T3 for 14 consecutive days after injury showed significantly improved recovery at 12 and 16 weeks, and rats treated with T4 for 4 days after injury showed significantly improved recovery at 12 weeks as compared with control animals. The possible modes of action of these two hormones on the injured spinal cord are briefly discussed.