Alterations in chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan expression occur both at and far from the site of spinal contusion injury

► Western blot and immunostaining combined to assess CSPGs after spinal contusion. ► Aggrecan is lost several mm from the lesion site but unchanged in distal segments. ► Total and full length neurocan increase at the lesion and in distant segments. ► Changes in neurocan reflect altered processing in regions of axonal degeneration.