Articles tagged with Spinal Cord Injuries
Research reveals that TGF-β1 plays a critical role in fibrotic scar tissue formation, limiting neural regeneration and recovery after spinal cord injury. Inhibiting TGF-β1 signaling reduces fibrotic scarring and improves functional recovery.
A new study describes an implantable brain-computer interface (iBCI) typing neuroprosthesis that can restore communication with speed and accuracy for people with paralysis. Two clinical trial participants, one with ALS and the other with a spinal cord injury, used the device to communicate rapidly and accurately, with a word error rat...
Researchers at Brown University have made significant progress in restoring two-way communication across a damaged spinal cord site. Electrical stimulation below the injury site partially restored muscle control in lower extremities, while stimulation above the injury enabled participants to understand their leg position in space. This...
Researchers at RCSI have developed an RNA-activated implant that delivers growth-promoting particles to injured nerve cells, encouraging them to regrow after spinal cord injury. The implant helps overcome molecular barriers by silencing a gene called PTEN.
Researchers developed an advanced organoid model for human spinal cord injury and tested a promising regenerative therapy. The treatment triggered neurite growth and reduced scarring in injured organoids, offering validation for its potential to work in humans.
A research team has developed a way to produce corticospinal-like neurons that centrally degenerate in motor neuron disease and are damaged in spinal cord injury. The study uses a multi-component gene-expression system called NVOF to precisely fine tune regulatory signals, resulting in mature neurons with distinct characteristics.
The SPINECRAFT project aims to create a cutting-edge, 4D human spinal cord construct that mirrors the architecture and functionality of the real spinal cord. This platform will enable detailed studies of spinal cord biology and integrate patient-derived cells to recreate disease-specific environments.
A new study published in Neurology found that age does not impact neurological recovery after spinal cord injury, but older adults have poorer functional outcomes in tasks such as feeding, bathing, and mobility. The study also found a significant reduction in functional recovery with increasing age, particularly in those over 70.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that specific DNA sequences, known as enhancers, are activated after spinal cord injury and instruct cells to respond. This knowledge could lead to more precise treatments targeting the affected cells, revolutionizing the treatment of spinal cord injuries.
A new study by Mass General Brigham reveals that patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries are at a higher risk of developing chronic health problems, including hypertension, stroke, depression, and diabetes. The study highlights the need for proactive and multidisciplinary long-term care strategies to address these issues.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have harnessed bioinformatics to identify Thiorphan as a promising new drug for spinal cord injury, showing effectiveness in adult human brain cells and improving hand function in rats with SCI.
Researchers discover that spinal cord-derived neural stem cells from different segments exhibit distinct biological characteristics and repair efficacies. Specifically, thoracic hscNSCs demonstrate superior survival rates, neural axon regeneration efficiency, and reduced fibrotic scarring in rat models of thoracic SCI.
Researchers have developed an implantable system to stabilize blood pressure in people with spinal cord injuries. The therapy, which involves delivering finely tuned electrical stimulation, has been shown to restore blood pressure stability and prevent life-threatening spikes.
Researchers developed a new PET tracer that effectively identifies synapse loss in the spinal cord and brain after spinal cord injury. The study found reduced uptake of the tracer at the injury site and in the amygdala and cerebellum, suggesting potential for diagnosing and monitoring spinal cord injuries.
Researchers found that an astrocytic 'brake' mechanism, fueled by the neurotransmitter GABA, blocks spinal cord repair after injury. Inhibiting this pathway with the MAOB inhibitor KDS2010 enables recovery of spinal cord function in animal models.
Dr. Trevor Dyson-Hudson has received the prestigious James J. Peters Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to spinal cord injury healthcare. He is co-director of the Center for Spinal Cord Injury Research at Kessler Foundation.
The system uses magnetoelectric power-transfer technology to deliver precise electrical stimulation to organs like the heart and spinal cord. The more devices in the network, the more efficient it is, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional implantable medical devices. This technology has potential for treating conditions s...
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a groundbreaking process to combine 3D printing, stem cell biology, and lab-grown tissues for spinal cord injury recovery. The method involves creating 3D-printed scaffolds with microscopic channels that promote the growth of new nerve fibers.
Researchers from Kessler Foundation will share insights on spinal cord injury recovery, technological innovation, and caregiver support. The conference highlights the Foundation's leadership in rehabilitation science and commitment to advancing outcomes for individuals with SCI.
The new book Spinal Surgery Biomechanics: Principles for Residents offers a comprehensive exploration of core biomechanical concepts essential for mastering spinal surgical procedures. It bridges the gap between theory and practice, providing a biomechanical framework that supports surgical planning and patient safety.
A USC research team has made a groundbreaking discovery about the human spinal cord's role in bladder control. The study used functional ultrasound imaging to observe real-time changes in blood flow dynamics during bladder filling and emptying, revealing areas where activity is correlated with bladder pressure.
Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have developed a 3-D printed implant that delivers electrical stimulation to injured areas of the spinal cord, enhancing nerve cell growth. The study has shown promising results in lab experiments and may enable new medical devices for traumatic spinal cord injuries.
A new clinical study at UT Dallas demonstrated significant improvements in arm and hand function for individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury. The closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation (CLV) approach produced meaningful benefits, regardless of age or severity of impairment.
Researchers developed a brain decoder to restore communication between the brain and spinal cord, allowing for rehabilitation and potentially restoring movement. The decoder used electroencephalography to predict movement intention, outperforming previous methods.
The Kosair for Kids Center for Pediatric NeuroRecovery is expanding its facilities to increase treatment capacity by 50%, allowing up to 24 children per day to receive life-changing therapies. The new 12,500-square-foot space will also enhance research collaboration and improve patient care.
Researchers introduced a recombinant protein to pericytes, which change shape and create cellular bridges that support axon regeneration. In mouse experiments, the treatment promoted robust axon regenerative growth and restored leg function.
University of Cincinnati researchers, in collaboration with end users, develop a user-centered, easy-to-use assistive device to help restore hand grasping motions. The team aims to combine an exoskeleton device with functional electrical stimulation (FES) technology to create a hybrid system.
Researchers evaluated different types of Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) scores among US trauma center patients. They found that GOSE-All scores capture the combined effect of brain and extracranial injuries, while GOSE-TBI scores exclude extracranial injury effects.
Researchers developed a novel blood test that accurately indicates spinal cord injury (SCI) severity and predicts potential recovery. The test identifies multiple biomarkers, including DNA and proteins, to rapidly diagnose SCI and project long-term neurological functional recovery.
Researchers discover edonerpic maleate enhances neural plasticity, supporting cortical reorganization and improving motor control in non-human primates with SCI. The compound promotes AMPA receptor movement to areas responsible for motor control, strengthening existing neural connections.
Binghamton University researchers have created a hydrogel electrode that includes conductive carbon nanotubes to monitor nerve activity in spinal cord neurons and leg muscles in mice. The technology solves the problem of rigid materials causing damage during movement, allowing for long-term functionality and single-cell signal detection.
A team developed a system integrating implanted spinal cord neuroprosthesis with rehabilitation robotics, delivering well-timed electrical pulses to stimulate muscles. The technology enhances immediate mobility and fosters long-term recovery, presenting a more effective rehabilitation approach than robotics alone.
Researchers are conducting a first-in-human clinical trial to test a modified herpes virus that targets spinal cord nerve cells to treat neurogenic bladder. The therapy, EG110A, aims to block sensory nerve signals causing involuntary bladder contractions and incontinence.
A new PET tracer has been developed to visualize intact nerve connections in the spinal cord, which may indicate a better chance of recovery. This breakthrough has the potential to help diagnose injuries more precisely, monitor recovery, and evaluate the effectiveness of new therapies.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a unique method for encoding natural touch sensations via specific microstimulation patterns in implantable electrodes. This allows individuals with spinal cord injuries to feel tactile edges, shapes, curvatures and movements, enabling them to control a bionic arm with the...
Scientists at EPFL and Università San Raffaele have found a way to address muscle spasticity in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury by using high-frequency electrical stimulation. This treatment gives paralyzed patients access to rehabilitation protocols, overcoming muscular stiffness and spasms.
A systematic literature search identified high-priority clinical actions for post-acute care, including early education, risk assessment, and mental health screening. Implementing these actions can improve the quality of care for non-hospitalized TBI patients.
A clinical trial showed that an antibody blocking Nogo-A protein improves motor function in patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries. The treatment led to significant improvements in voluntary muscle activation and everyday life functional independence. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings.
A $1.5 million grant will advance clinical testing of the noninvasive device in human participants with spinal cord injuries who experience AD. The device detects AD using sensors and controllers, measuring heart activity, skin nerve response, galvanic skin response, and skin temperature.
The InteReg project aims to create interactive biomaterials that instruct cells to regenerate after brain or spinal cord injuries, potentially treating MS and other neurological disorders. The project, funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation, brings together experts in biology, chemistry, medicine, and polymer research.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that hospital-acquired pressure ulcers are associated with poorer neurological outcomes and reduced motor function in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury. The findings suggest that preventing pressure ulcers can help protect these patients and lead to improved medical care.
Researchers at EPFL and Lausanne University Hospital have achieved a major milestone in treating spinal cord injuries by applying deep brain stimulation to the lateral hypothalamus. This therapy has improved mobility and independence in two individuals with partial SCI, demonstrating long-term neurological improvements.
New measures of neighborhood socioeconomic factors provide critical tools for studying social determinants of health in spinal cord injury research. The findings highlight the importance of understanding how environment influences health and recovery after spinal cord injury.
A new study demonstrates that Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation (TSS) and movement training can improve walking ability in children with Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM). Three children showed significant improvements in walking distance, posture, speed, and overall function.
Silvana Lopes Costa, PhD, of Kessler Foundation has received the Women in Neurodegenerative Disease Rehabilitation Science Award for her groundbreaking research on multiple sclerosis and cognitive assessment. Her work aims to improve quality of life among individuals with neurological conditions through innovative rehabilitation science.
Research reveals that lumbosacral vertebrae region stimulation significantly elevates low blood pressure, unlike cervical or upper thoracic stimulation. This approach offers a non-invasive therapeutic intervention to regulate cardiovascular function in SCI patients.
A collaborative study led by HKUST sheds light on new possibilities for treating CNS injuries through the discovery of a novel gene regulating axon regeneration. Lipin1 inhibition promotes nerve repair and boosts regeneration in both motor and sensory axons after spinal cord injury.
A Phase I human clinical trial is commencing to test the efficacy and safety of transplantation of olfactory cell nerve bridges to treat chronic spinal cord injury. The trial combines olfactory ensheathing cells with long-term intensive rehabilitation.
Researchers at HKUST have discovered a neuroprotective mechanism involving microglia that prevents acute axonal degeneration after spinal cord injury. Microglia establish direct contact with myelinated axons, exhibiting a protective wrapping behavior that delays degeneration.
Researchers at UCSF have identified a molecular pathway that controls the formation of scar tissue in spinal cord injuries. By activating this pathway, they were able to reduce scarring and promote healing in mice with spinal cord injuries.
A new library of healthy participants' neuroimaging data has been created to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Normative Neuroimaging Library consists of data from approximately 1900 individuals, providing a comprehensive dataset for clinicians and researchers.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine developed an immunotherapy to minimize damage from traumatic spinal cord injury. The therapy protects neurons from immune cells, improving mobility in mice and showing potential for treating people with spinal cord injuries.
A new implant has been developed to encourage nerve cell repair after spinal cord injury. The implant uses electrical signals and a 3D-printed scaffold to bridge the gap and direct axons to grow back in the correct formation, promoting healing and recovery.
A new UBC Okanagan study emphasizes the importance of identifying and managing neuropathic pain in high-performance athletes with spinal cord injuries. The research stresses the need for sports medicine clinicians and trainers to use standardized assessment tools, including symptom-based questionnaires, to better understand and communi...
The study found that robotic postural stand training with epidural stimulation improved trunk control during standing tasks, but had no significant impact on sitting outcomes for high-level motor-complete individuals with SCI. This suggests that rehabilitation strategies should be tailored to target specific postures.
A new study reveals that zebrafish spinal cords regenerate by leveraging the survival and adaptability of severed neurons, rather than relying on stem cells. The research identifies genetic targets to promote this type of plasticity in humans and other mammals.
A longitudinal study has found that tissue bridges in the spinal cord are associated with short- and long-term clinical improvements in patients with cervical spine injuries. The study's models, developed by a team of experts, incorporate tissue bridges for improved prognosis and can be transferred to other patient cohorts.
The West Virginia University athletic training researcher developed a new national position statement on emergency action plan development and implementation in sports. The recommendations aim to reduce catastrophic injuries by designating an emergency action plan coordinator who collaborates with other athletic staff.
Researchers at EPFL have published an open-source project Tabulae Paralytica, providing a comprehensive understanding of spinal cord injury biology. The study identifies specific neurons and genes involved in recovery and proposes a successful gene therapy derived from its discoveries.
A new study reveals that traumatic intracranial aneurysms are more common and associated with intracerebral hematomas after civilian gunshot wounds, challenging conventional wisdom. Spontaneous resolution occurs in approximately 40% of patients.