Articles tagged with Spinal Cord Injuries
A new device study shows spinal cord injury patients experiencing some degree of functional recovery after six months, with improved sensation and motor function recorded at one year. The oscillating field stimulator device has been shown to promote nerve fiber regeneration, offering a potential treatment option for severe injuries.
Regular exercise improves physical and psychological well-being among people with spinal cord injuries, as well as older adults and nursing home residents. Exercise also promotes stability and ease of movement for lower-limb amputees, while correcting visual impairments can improve rehabilitation effectiveness.
Researchers have found promising results using olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) to form myelin around nerve fibers, improving rats' functionality. Tiny beads releasing the enzyme chondroitinase ABC also enhance axonal growth and recovery of function.
Researchers at UCSD successfully treated muscle spasms in rats with ischemic spinal cord injury using brain cell transplants. Fifty percent of the animals experienced significant improvement in motor function.
A study funded by the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation has identified novel potential therapeutic targets for spinal cord repair using microarray technology. The study analyzed 108 genes and found patterns of gene expression that could help researchers identify new treatments.
Researchers discovered that excess ATP damages motor neurons, leading to paralysis. Blocking ATP's effects restored function in rats with damaged spinal cords, opening up promising new avenues for treatment.
Researchers successfully stimulated nerve cell regeneration after spinal cord injury using a combination of treatments. The study showed that axons can regrow into a cell graft placed in the lesion site, extending into the spinal cord and surrounding tissue.
Researchers found that a combination therapy using Schwann cells and cyclic AMP (cAMP) promotes axonal growth and functional recovery after spinal cord injury. The treatment preserved and elevated cAMP levels in nerve cells and myelinated nerve fibers, leading to better locomotion and coordination in rats.
Researchers tested rTMS on four patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries, finding a 37.5% drop in intracortical inhibition and improvements in motor and sensory function. This treatment may facilitate functional recovery and has the potential to help people with partial spinal cord injuries recover some movement and feeling.
Researchers infused decorin into spinal cord injury sites in rats, reducing inflammation and scar formation by 80-95%. This allowed nerve fibers to regrow across the injury site within four days.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found that minocycline reduces later-stage tissue loss by blocking mitochondrial cytochrome c release, potentially improving quality of life for those with spinal cord injuries. The study suggests a novel post-trauma strategy using a safe, FDA-approved drug.
Researchers have found that patients with spinal cord injuries can generate muscle activity independent of brain signals when one leg is moved during therapy. This discovery has significant implications for developing rehabilitation strategies and improving walking abilities in spinal cord injury patients.
Researchers develop antibodies that block CXCL-10 cells from recruiting T-cells, reducing spinal damage and improving mobility in rats with induced spinal cord injuries. This finding offers hope for recovery for those suffering from spinal cord injuries.
After a spinal cord injury, the body's natural response can lead to larger, more debilitating lesions in the spinal cord. Researchers found that glutamate and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa) over-stimulation cause secondary damage to white matter tissue and destroy oligodendrocytes, which protect axons.
Regular exercise has been shown to have a generalized beneficial effect on how the brain functions, reducing symptoms of depression in both animals and humans. Mental practice can also improve strength and recovery from spinal cord injuries.
A study found significant positive relationships between forgiveness of self, others, and various health outcomes among people with spinal cord injury. Forgiveness has a positive effect on health, but its impact varies by type, suggesting an impact on treatment protocols.
Researchers found that intravenous infusions of human umbilical cord blood stem cells delayed ALS disease progression by at least two to three weeks and improved survival in mice. The cells also circulated to organs outside the central nervous system, suggesting an immune-protective mechanism.
A study conducted at Lausanne University Hospital found that MDCT accurately depicted more spine fractures than conventional x-rays, with a sensitivity rate of nearly three times higher. This innovation could save time, money, and radiation exposure for patients admitted to emergency departments for severe trauma.
Researchers found increased vascular resistance in paralyzed legs of humans with long-term spinal cord injuries. However, a short period of training led to a marked decrease in vascular resistance, suggesting that deconditioning is the primary cause of the increase in vascular resistance.
A study found that a quadriplegic individual's brain preserves its ability to 'feel' and 'move' despite severe spinal cord injury. The findings indicate stability in the brain's motor patterns, suggesting a small portion of the spinal cord may still be intact.
A new study reveals that nearly three-quarters of spinal cord injury patients want to exercise but only half actually do. The study also found that only 47% had been encouraged to exercise by their physicians, with 'lack of motivation' being a major barrier. Researchers aim to address these barriers through education and support programs.
Acorda Therapeutics has received the L.W. Freeman Award for its pioneering work in regenerative therapies and functional improvements for spinal cord injury patients. The company's lead product, Fampridine-SR, is in Phase 3 clinical trials for chronic SCI and aims to restore function in people with SCI.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have made a breakthrough in treating spinal cord injuries by using tiny nerves from the rib cage to partially restore hind leg movement. The study found that grafting these nerves and adding a growth stimulator, aFGF, can improve movement in rats with severed spinal cords.
Fampridine-SR shows promise in reducing spasticity and improving bladder, bowel, and sexual function in patients with chronic SCI. The Phase 3 trial enrolls 360 patients at leading clinical centers in the US and Canada.
Scientists have identified brain chemicals that can stimulate nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury, providing a potential new target for intervention. By understanding how these chemicals interact with inhibitors, researchers hope to develop treatments to repair damaged nerve cells and improve outcomes for patients.
Researchers have identified four chemicals that induce nerve regeneration in rat brain cells, focusing on the MAG-ganglioside interaction. The findings could lead to new treatments for spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis, but caution is needed due to the complexity of human neural systems.
Researchers found that limiting scar tissue formation enables neurons to regrow and reconnect, leading to substantial recovery of function. This approach suggests potential for therapies to eliminate existing scar tissue at injury sites.
A new study led by Barbara Bregman found that delaying treatment for spinal cord injuries can lead to increased regrowth of nerve cell fibers. The addition of neurotrophins was key to this effect, with rats experiencing significant improvement in motor function.
Researchers found that delaying spinal cord injury treatment until the initial changes have stabilized can improve regrowth of injured neurons and axons. This combination therapy with fetal tissue transplants and nerve growth factors shows promise for treating severe spinal cord trauma.
A study is underway to test the effectiveness of zoledronate, a bisphosphonate medication, in preventing bone loss in spinal cord injury patients. The results could also have implications for astronauts on long-duration space missions, where bone loss is a significant concern.
A clinical study using human fetal tissue transplants suggests that the procedure may be logistically feasible and procedurally safe for patients with syringomyelia cavities. The study's primary goal is to evaluate the safety of transplantation with respect to possible early complications and long-term consequences.
Researchers at UF'S Mcknight Brain Institute have found no ill effects in two U.S. patients who underwent a spinal cord transplantation procedure from 1997 to 2000. The tissue, obtained from aborted fetuses, seemed to partially fill cavities and prevent further deterioration of the patients' conditions.
Weizmann Institute scientists propose a novel vaccination method to prevent secondary degeneration after partial spinal cord injury, leading to significant recovery of movement in rats. The treatment protected nerve fibers and showed potential effectiveness in other central nervous system disorders.
Researchers are exploring postraumatic vaccination as a potential treatment for spinal cord injuries, showing promise in promoting neural regeneration and recovery. Early studies suggest that this approach may improve functional outcomes and quality of life for affected individuals.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a receptor responsible for inhibiting the growth of injured nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This finding holds promise for reversing functional deficits caused by trauma, stroke, or degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
The event will feature panel presentations by patients and family members who share their experiences coping with spinal cord injuries. Researchers discuss recent advances in treating SCI, including neurotrophic electrodes, growth factors, gene therapy, and stem cell therapies.
A Canadian Medical Association Journal study found that pushes from behind and impacts with the boards account for most spinal injuries in ice hockey. The study also revealed regional disparities and a disturbingly low median age of injured players, highlighting the need for prevention strategies.
Researchers hope to achieve a treatment that prevents total paralysis after partial spinal cord injury by adding T-cells to the immune response. In laboratory animal tests, rats with partial spinal cord injuries regained motor activity in their paralyzed legs, while untreated rats developed increasing paralysis.
A new polymer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), has been shown to rapidly repair damaged nerve membranes in live guinea pigs with severe spinal cord injuries. The treatment can be applied up to eight hours after the injury without losing benefits, offering promise for rescuing substantial portions of damaged spinal cord tissue.
Researchers at Yale University have identified a gene and protein responsible for stopping axon regrowth in the brain and spinal cord after nervous system injury. This discovery offers hope for reversing the failure of functional recovery in many brain and spinal injuries, including human spinal cord injury.
A new computer program, developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, provides spinal cord injury patients with access to online rehabilitation training and resources. The Rehabilitation Learning Center offers video instruction, lifestyle guidance, and personalized support for patients working from home.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have discovered the molecular signals that lead to programmed cell death in spinal cord injuries. This breakthrough discovery may lead to the development of drugs to prevent or limit the consequences of spinal cord injury.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that damaged spinal cords can regenerate nerve fibers from transplanted adult nerve cells. The study suggests that scar tissue is the major obstacle to regeneration, and removing it may unlock a greater potential for nerve growth.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are developing a new neural prosthesis technology that uses microstimulation to directly stimulate the spinal cord. This approach aims to improve the health and independence of individuals with quadriplegia and paraplegia, who currently lack control over vital functions.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have induced the growth of severed adult mammalian spinal cord fibers across the site of injury without implanted cells or tissues. The study calls into question current assumptions about barriers to spinal cord regeneration and points towards a promising new direction for achieving this goal.
Researchers are enrolling physically active and sedentary individuals with spinal cord injuries to investigate the benefits of aerobic exercise on lipid profiles, glucose tolerance, independence, and quality of life. The study aims to develop a structured exercise program for SCI patients.
Researchers discovered that cells in the sensory cortex can sprout new axons and form connections with unimpaired areas of the brain, potentially allowing for recovery from stroke or injury. This newfound ability could lead to breakthroughs in treating brain disorders such as spinal cord injuries or stroke.
Dr. Philip James reports that high-pressure chambers can increase oxygen levels in damaged spinal nerves, potentially preventing paralysis. The treatment has been used on divers with decompression sickness and shows promise for spinal cord injuries.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found a significant surge in trampoline-related injuries among children, with almost 250,000 treated between 1990 and 1995. The annual number of injuries grew from 29,600 to 58,400 per year during this period, with younger children most often suffering fractures or dislocations.
VA-10,367 has been shown to enhance the recovery of function following spinal cord injury through effects on neuronal regeneration. In a peripheral nerve injury model, the compound accelerated the days to onset of foot movement and walking, leading to recovery of function.
A new study shows that giving the drug for a longer period can significantly improve recovery over the standard treatment. About 60% of patients treated with 48-hour methylprednisolone starting at three to eight hours recovered a substantial degree of independence.
Researchers found that nitric oxide synthase is activated within minutes after nerve cell damage in medicinal leeches, leading to regeneration. The study suggests NOS may aid in minimizing tissue damage and infection by flagging down microglia at the site of injury.