Christie Engesser‐Cesar
Papers
1
Total Citations
88
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1
About
Christie Engesser-Cesar is a neuroscientist whose research centers on neuroplasticity and recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI), with a particular focus on how physical activity drives functional and anatomical repair. Her most cited work, a 2007 study on wheel running following SCI, demonstrated that voluntary exercise significantly improves locomotor recovery and stimulates the growth of serotonergic fibers—key pathways for motor control. This seminal paper, with 88 citations, helped establish exercise as a promising, non-invasive therapy for SCI by revealing that even self-initiated activity can promote neural regeneration. Engesser-Cesar’s contributions bridge behavioral neuroscience and rehabilitation, showing that mechanisms like activity-dependent plasticity can be harnessed to restore function. Her research has influenced subsequent studies on manual and robotic step training, underscoring the translational potential of exercise-based interventions. For students and researchers, her work offers a compelling example of how animal models can uncover the biological underpinnings of recovery, inspiring new approaches to spinal cord rehabilitation.
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Top Papers
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