In the hours to weeks following traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI), biochemical processes are initiated that further damage the tissue within and surrounding the initial injury site:a process termed secondary injury. Acrolein, a highly reactive unsaturated aldehyde, has been shown to play a major role in the secondary injury by contributing signiifcantly to both motor and sensory deif-cits. In particular, efforts have been made to elucidate the mechanisms of acrolein-mediated dam-age at the cellular level and the resulting paralysis and neuropathic pain. In this review, we will highlight the recent developments in the understanding of the mechanisms of acrolein in motor and sensory dysfunction in animal models of SCI. We will also discuss the therapeutic beneifts of using acrolein scavengers to attenuate acrolein-mediated neuronal damage following SCI.