Articles tagged with Spinal Cord Injuries
A new study published in Journal of Neurotrauma found that more than 30% of patients with traumatic brain injury who underwent withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment recovered at least partial independence. The study suggests that a lifetime in a vegetative state or severe disability is not a common outcome even after a serious injury.
Researchers have determined an optimal 'dose' for red light therapy, which can deliver significant therapeutic improvements, including the regeneration of damaged nerve cells. The treatment involves delivering light directly to the site of injury, resulting in increased cell viability and reduced tissue scarring.
Researchers found that spinal cord injury triggers abnormal neuronal activity that causes abdominal fat tissue compounds to leak and pool in the liver and other organs. A short course of gabapentin, commonly prescribed for nerve pain, prevented this damaging metabolic effect.
Researchers will study wearable robotic assistance for chronic SCI, new assessment tools for spatial neglect, and a web-based job interview training tool for autistic youth. The studies aim to improve upper extremity movement function and employment outcomes for individuals with autism.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Brain Science discovered neural circuitry in the spinal cord that enables brain-independent motor learning and recall. The study found two critical groups of neurons: one necessary for new adaptive learning and another for recalling adaptations once learned.
A new study has identified alpha-1-antichymotrypsin as a blood protein marker that can predict delayed recovery of concussion in children. The study found that children with low levels of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin were more likely to experience delayed recovery, highlighting the potential for early diagnosis and targeted treatment.
Researchers discovered that neonatal spinal cord ECM significantly enhanced NPC proliferation, migration, and differentiation compared to adult ECM. This study highlights the critical role of early developmental spinal cord ECM in orchestrating spinal cord regeneration processes.
Scientists from Kessler Foundation received significant research grants to explore the social determinants of health among racial/ethnic groups during wheelchair breakdowns. The studies aim to understand the impact of transportation insecurity on individuals with chronic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).
A Mayo Clinic study found that stem cells derived from patients' own fat are safe and may improve sensation and movement after traumatic spinal cord injuries. Seven participants demonstrated improvements in motor function, including increased strength and voluntary anal contraction.
Kessler Foundation has received two grants to improve cognitive assessment for traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients and pilot-test a nationwide personal assistance services survey. The grants will support innovative research, including a hands-free eye-tracker-based cognitive assessment and a survey to assess the impact of perso...
A new study found significant reductions in total symptom score and faster return to physical activity among concussed adolescents and young adults treated with branched chain amino acid supplementation. The study's findings provide important preliminary data for a larger trial of BCAA therapy.
Researchers develop nanovector nanogels that selectively target glial cells involved in spinal cord injury inflammation, reducing damage and improving recovery. The treatment demonstrates potential for modulating glial cells in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers found that the severity of muscle wasting depends on the location of the spinal cord injury. They also discovered that hypercortisolism, a hormonal imbalance, worsens muscle loss and can be targeted to rescue muscle tissue.
Researchers surveyed 690 people with spinal cord injury to understand their residential mobility patterns. They found that those who moved were younger, healthier, and less advantaged socioeconomically, often moving due to accessibility issues or housing quality.
A small clinical trial led by the University of Houston demonstrates Riluzole's effectiveness in improving functionality in people with acute spinal cord injuries. The study used an SCI-specific biomarker to show how Riluzole reduces neuron cell damage and improves motor abilities.
Scientists at University of California San Diego School of Medicine identified a new biomarker using single-cell RNA sequencing, which can predict whether neurons will regenerate after an injury. The study found that the biomarker was consistently reliable across various parts of the nervous system and developmental stages.
Researchers develop novel combinatorial treatment strategy to reduce and overcome chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan's inhibitory effects on neuronal regeneration. The approach stimulates a good measure of recovery in paralyzed rats, paving the way for clinical translation.
A special focus issue of Journal of Neurotrauma highlights the latest findings of North American Clinical Trials Network on improving outcomes for individuals with acute spinal cord injury. The issue includes studies on the benefits of early surgery, key results from a Riluzole study, and trends in corticosteroid use.
Researchers discovered that guiding specific neurons to their natural target regions leads to recovery, while random regrowth is not effective. The study provides crucial insights into axon regeneration and requirements for functional recovery after spinal cord injuries.
Scientists at NeuroRestore have developed a gene therapy that stimulates nerve regrowth and guides nerves to reconnect to their natural targets, restoring mobility in mice with complete spinal cord injuries. The treatment, tested in mice, shows promise in reversing paralysis and improving motor function.
Researchers at CityU and HKUMed developed genetically modified human neural stem cells that promote neural circuit reconstruction, reduce glial scar accumulation, and enhance axon outgrowth. The therapy demonstrates potential for treating severe spinal cord injuries with functional recovery.
The new online course, “Understanding Spinal Cord Injury: A Course for Personal Care Assistants,” enhances training for PCAs to provide quality assistance services for individuals with spinal cord injury. The four-module course covers topics such as building relationships, managing blood pressure, and transferring clients safely.
A new drug treatment, KCL-286, has demonstrated safety and tolerability in a Phase 1 clinical trial, promoting recovery through activating retinoic acid receptor beta (RARb) in the spine. Researchers are now seeking funding for a Phase 2a trial to study its effects in those with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers found that severe spinal cord injuries can disrupt communication between the nervous system and immune system, leading to systemic immune deficiency. Blood markers associated with this deficit can help gauge individual vulnerability to infection.
The Kessler Foundation will evaluate the long-term effects of a myoelectric orthosis on improving hand/wrist/elbow capability in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The goal is to increase muscle strength, joint range of motion, and daily task ability.
The study found that the immune response to spinal-cord injuries is impaired in older individuals, leading to weaker cell responses and reduced recovery. The researchers identified an essential role for the meninges surrounding the spinal cord in mounting the immune response, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches.
Two Kessler Foundation scientists will conduct studies on upper extremity exercise after stroke and restoration of cardiovascular function in spinal cord injury populations. Dr. Shenoy Handiru's study combines transcranial electrical stimulation and wearable sensor-based exergaming to improve hand dexterity, while Dr. Einat Engel-Haber...
Dr. Marco Bonizzato receives the 2022 Turnbull-Tator Award for his groundbreaking publication on an intracortical neuroprosthesis that improves recovery of leg control after spinal cord injury. The award supports two trainees in his lab to develop a neurorehabilitation platform for neuroprosthetic therapies.
A mobile app called SCI Step Together encourages people with partial spinal cord injuries to get active by setting goals, tracking activities, and connecting with others. The study found that participants who used the app had greater fulfillment of basic psychological needs, including independence, competence, and belonging.
The gene LRRC4 regulates synapse formation, stability and excitatory transmission, playing a crucial role in learning, memory formation and storage. It also has key implications in neuronal disorders and aggressive brain and spinal cord cancer.
Researchers have adapted a nationally representative survey to reflect the employment experiences of veterans with spinal cord injury, addressing chronic high unemployment. The KFNEDS-Veteran Survey aims to learn about how employers approach hiring, accommodating, and advancing these veterans.
Scientists have created a detailed map of human spinal cord cell formation, shedding light on how injuries and diseases arise. The study's findings hold promise for developing new therapies for spinal cord injuries and diseases like ALS.
Researchers have pinpointed a new neurological target, the mesencephalic locomotor region, to improve walking recovery in people with spinal cord injuries. Electrical stimulation of this area has shown promise in animal models, and a clinical trial is underway.
A two-year grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation will support a pilot project implementing Vocational Resource Facilitation to investigate participant and stakeholder experiences. The goal is to enhance return-to-work rates and employment outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injury.
A new study reveals that lampreys use body-sensing feedback to regain swimming abilities after spinal injury, challenging the conventional view of neural regeneration. Mathematical models suggest that this technique could be applied to humans with spinal injuries or diseases affecting movement.
Researchers aim to assess the effectiveness of spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation and a cognitive training program in improving processing speed abilities and upper extremity function after spinal cord injury. The studies will test innovative approaches to enhance rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers from Kessler Foundation found that transcutaneous spinal stimulation does not interfere with implanted intrathecal baclofen pump delivery systems. However, communication between the pump and its interrogator may be briefly affected due to electromagnetic interference.
A systematic review published in Topics in SCI Rehabilitation suggests that indwelling catheters do not increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) compared to intermittent catheterization. The review found that only three studies reported significantly higher UTI rates with indwelling catheters, but all three had critical flaws.
The five-year project aims to enroll 500 working-age adults with brain or spinal cord injuries and explore the effectiveness of vocational resource facilitation services. Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation and other partners will provide targeted counseling and support to help individuals return to work after disabling neurotrauma.
A research team at Chinese Academy of Sciences creates a spinal cord-like implant with covalent conjugation between biomaterials and cells, promoting cell retention and neural regeneration in rats after spinal cord injury. The study's findings have potential implications for human spinal cord tissue engineering therapy.
A new therapy, called spinal cord associative plasticity (SCAP), is showing promise in animal studies by enabling rats with spinal cord injuries to regain function of their arms. The treatment targets the nervous system connections spared by injury and causes lasting change in synapses or neurons.
A research team led by Dr. Eddie Ma Chi-him identified a therapeutic small molecule M1 that increases mitochondrial dynamics and sustains long-distance axon regeneration, restoring visual functions in mice. Regenerated axons elicited neural activities and survived for four weeks after optic nerve injury.
A new clinical trial report reveals that brain-computer interface implants are associated with a low rate of adverse events, similar to those experienced by patients with other chronic medical conditions. The study, which followed 14 participants for an average of 872 days, found no serious adverse events or device removals.
The Kessler Foundation team, led by Dr. Amanda Botticello, has received a $4.5 million federal grant to advance spinal cord injury research. The goal of the five-year project is to build a database resource to identify neighborhood factors that shape independent community living after spinal cord injury.
The study successfully synthesised hybrid biomaterials using nanoparticles and showed excellent stem cell attachment and growth on the scaffolds. The material also promoted axonal cell migration towards the site of spinal cord injury, reducing scarring and inflammation. This research holds promise for treating spinal cord injuries.
Researchers have identified an intrinsic immune mechanism that promotes axon regeneration in peripheral nerves after injury. Deleting PTPN2 and combining it with type II interferon IFNγ accelerates axon regrowth, a potential breakthrough for treating spinal cord injuries.
A survey of community-living people with spinal cord injury revealed lower-than-recommended healthcare utilization rates for primary care, dental, and optical services. Demographic, socioeconomic, and injury-related factors contributed to disparities in healthcare access.
Researchers found that intensive physical therapy and implanted neural stem cells increased tissue growth, repair, and functionality in rats with cervical lesions. The combination of treatments outperformed each individual treatment alone, suggesting a new potential combination therapy for spinal cord injuries.
Injured mice that received gabapentin showed improved rehab compliance due to mental barriers. Removing dividers between individual exercise lanes increased willingness to participate in group rehab, boosting performance and recovery. The study suggests social support may be beneficial for individuals with spinal cord injury.
Dr. Nathan Hogaboom has won the prestigious Ernest Bors, MD Award for Scientific Development for his pioneering work on regenerative rehabilitation research in spinal cord injury. His award-winning study applied novel principles to treat debilitating shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.
The Kessler Foundation has received significant funding to advance research on spinal cord injury, including studies on epidural stimulation and shockwave therapy for spasticity. The funding will also support the SCI Medicine Fellowship Program, which has trained approximately 50 specialists in spinal cord injury.
Researchers are exploring the use of electrical spinal cord stimulation to help people with spinal cord injuries regain some movement. The study will investigate how the central nervous system changes in response to stimulation and exercise, with the goal of developing more effective rehabilitation strategies.
Researchers have identified a group of latent stem cells in the central nervous system of mice that respond to injury by dividing, migrating towards damaged areas, and differentiating into astrocytes. If similar cells exist in humans, they could provide a new therapeutic approach for treating spinal cord injuries.
A team of researchers has successfully recovered muscle movements in paralyzed mice using organic artificial nerves. The study demonstrates a new approach to overcoming nerve damage using neuromorphic technology, paving the way for wearable neural prosthetics and improving quality of life for those with related diseases and disorders.
A study in biomechanics measures the impact of head-first, hand-first, and feet-first diving to provide data-driven recommendations for safe diving. The researchers found that spinal cord and neck injury is likely above eight meters in a head-first dive, while knee injury is likely above 15 meters with feet-first diving.
A research team has won the NIH's Neuromod Prize for their innovative approach to spinal stimulation, which uses autonomic neuromodulation to regulate nervous system activity. The breakthrough could lead to improved autonomy and daily functioning for people with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a roadmap detailing how stem cells become sensory interneurons, which enable sensations like touch and pain. The study identifies protocols for producing all types of sensory interneurons in the laboratory, paving the way for cell therapies to restore sensation in people with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers have discovered neural plastic changes that can improve functional recovery after a cervical spinal cord injury. Using an optogenetic neuromodulation strategy, they found that the intact corticospinal system in the opposite side of the brain and spinal cord can be modulated to take over control of the damaged forelimb, resu...
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have shown that a brain-penetrating candidate drug can promote regeneration of damaged nerves after spinal trauma. The research demonstrated that the drug, AZD1390, blocks the response to DNA damage in nerve cells and restores sensory and motor function after spinal injury.
Researchers developed a technology that uses surviving neurons to restore connection between brain and arm via specific stimulation pulses to the spinal cord. This allowed macaque monkeys with partial arm paralysis to improve precision, force, and range of movement in their arms.