Articles tagged with Spinal Cord Injuries
A team of scientists discovered a gene signature linked to spinal cord injury severity, which can predict functional recovery. The study identified key genes that are switched on or off in response to injury, potentially informing the development of biomarkers for treatment.
Four participants with motor complete spinal cord injury regained walking ability and trunk stability using epidural stimulation paired with daily locomotor training. The study, published in New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that some brain-to-spine connectivity may be restored years after injury.
Research participants experienced improved blood pressure and heart rate regulation after receiving epidural stimulation, with stabilized levels even after stimulation was turned off. The therapy also increased independence and alertness, allowing individuals to live more normal lives and engage in activities without limitations.
Researchers have found a way to overcome the barrier that prevents damaged neurons from regrowing after spinal cord injury. By turning back the neurons' clocks and reactivating growth patterns, they were able to reconnect severed spinal cord nerves and induce new axons to regrow across the scarred tissue.
Dr. Potter-Baker received the award for her research on transcranial direct current stimulation for upper limb functional recovery after spinal cord injury. The study was published in 2017 and has shown promising results.
Researchers have discovered a three-pronged recipe to regenerate severed nerve fibers across complete spinal cord injuries, replicating conditions that promote growth during development. The treatment involves delivering growth factors and proteins to reanimate the genetic program for axon growth and create a permissive environment.
A study published in American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that mobility and self-care abilities are the greatest impactors on quality of life for spinal cord injury patients. The research, which analyzed data from 195 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury, revealed differences in priorities between tetraple...
Researchers have discovered a key role for O-GlcNAc modifications in enhancing neuronal regeneration after injury. Altering sugar levels on proteins can alter metabolism, leading to improved regeneration outcomes.
Trevor Dyson-Hudson, MD, of Kessler Foundation, is honored for his outstanding contributions to improving the lives of individuals with spinal cord injury. He has made significant contributions to user guidelines for wheelchair maintenance and training, helping people remain active and confident.
A UCLA study reveals that magnetic stimulation of the lower spine can restore significant bladder control in people with spinal-cord injuries. The treatment improved patients' quality of life by an average of 60%, allowing them to urinate voluntarily for up to four weeks between treatments.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a groundbreaking 3D-printed device that uses regenerative cells to connect living nerve cells above and below spinal cord injury sites. The device has shown promise in improving bladder control, stopping uncontrollable movements, and alleviating pain.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a small-molecule compound that can revive dormant nerve pathways in paralyzed mice with spinal cord injury. The compound, CLP290, activates the protein KCC2, allowing inhibitory neurons to receive signals from the brain and restoring motor function.
Researchers found that creating a mild inflammatory response improves a rat's ability to relearn motor skills after a spinal cord injury. This discovery could have significant impact on treating nervous system injuries in the future.
A new gene therapy has been shown to restore hand function in rats with spinal cord injuries by breaking down scar tissue and allowing nerve cell regeneration. The therapy uses a 'stealth gene' switch that can be turned on and off, providing a safeguard and paving the way for human trials.
The New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Injury Research has awarded four grants to Kessler Foundation scientists to study learning deficits, cognitive assessments, neuropathic pain, and brain activity during exoskeleton-assisted walking. These $1.5 million grants aim to improve rehabilitative care for individuals with spinal cord injury.
Researchers have developed a drug delivery system that repairs neural connections controlling breathing in female rats after spinal cord injury. The system, using brain-derived neurotrophic factor, preserves diaphragm function and motor neurons responsible for muscle activation.
Researchers have discovered an experimental drug that can restore some bladder function after spinal cord injury in mice, potentially reducing the risk of bladder infections and incontinence. The drug works by blocking abnormal neural communication and appears to maintain near-normal bladder pressure and reduce unexpected urine expulsion.
Researchers successfully regrew axons and repaired neural tissue in monkeys with spinal cord injuries using a biodegradable material loaded with neurotrophin3. The treatment promotes long-distance regeneration, functional recovery, and potential therapeutic implications for human SCI.
Researchers found myelin stimulates axonal outgrowth in precursor neurons and stem cells, enhancing threefold growth. This breakthrough supports the use of neural precursor cells and iPSC-derived stem cells for repairing spinal cord injuries.
According to the April 2018 National Trends in Disability Employment report, Americans with disabilities added another month of job gains, increasing their employment-to-population ratio from 28.2% to 30.6%. This gain outpaces that of non-disabled individuals, who saw a slight increase in employment-to-population ratio.
A UCLA-led team developed a nonsurgical, noninvasive spinal stimulation procedure that allows six people with severe spinal cord injuries to regain use of their hands and fingers for the first time in years. The participants showed substantial improvements after just eight researcher-led training sessions.
Researchers used adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells to treat spinal cord injuries in rats, resulting in improved motor function and reduced damage. The study's findings suggest a promising therapeutic approach for repairing nervous tissue after injury.
Researchers have discovered that certain genes are shared between salamanders and humans, which could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating spinal cord injuries. By studying the molecular mechanisms at work in salamanders, scientists hope to understand why humans cannot regenerate nerves after injury.
A study using machine-learning algorithms and MRI analysis predicts the severity of neurologic impairment after spinal cord injury. The results show variable accuracy in classifying patients and identifying potential prognostic texture features.
A new study in mice shows that turning on a gene called LZK can stimulate the healing process after spinal cord injuries, resulting in smaller scars. This trigger has implications for treating brain conditions through gene therapy targeting astrocytes.
Researchers at University of Louisville have found that epidural stimulation can safely and effectively elevate blood pressure in individuals with severe spinal cord injury. The study, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, included four research participants who experienced significant improvements in blood pressure regulation.
Researchers at EPFL have discovered that the brain reroutes task-specific motor commands through alternative pathways originating in the brainstem and projecting to the spinal cord. This rewiring leads to new connections between the brain and spinal cord, enabling rats to regain control over their paralyzed limbs.
A five-year grant funds a multi-center clinical trial testing the effectiveness of intermittent hypoxia therapy on hand and arm function in individuals with incomplete cervical SCI. The study aims to improve neuroplasticity and increase muscle contractions, leading to better outcomes for rehabilitation.
Researchers will collect data on community activity spaces and participant behavior using smartphones. The goal is to better understand how people with severe mobility impairments adapt to life after SCI and the role of the environment in their daily lives.
A study by Victoria Claydon found that bowel care is the top concern for individuals with spinal cord injuries, followed by sexual function, bladder function, and pain. The research highlights the need for holistic solutions to address the complex bodily system impacts of spinal cord injury.
A study led by Patrick Freund found that patients with smaller initial nerve loss have better long-term recovery. The researchers tracked microstructural changes in the spinal cord and brain after two years, predicting recovery trajectories using non-invasive neuroimaging.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet identified a mechanism that blocks nerve fiber regeneration in spinal cord injuries, leading to permanent functional deficits. By inhibiting scar formation, they found improved functional recovery in mice, offering new hope for treating this devastating condition.
Scientists successfully grafted human neural progenitor cells into rhesus monkeys with spinal cord injuries, growing hundreds of thousands of human axons and synapses. The findings represent a major step toward future human clinical trials for paralyzing spinal cord injuries.
A case study published in JAMA Neurology reports improved side effects for a man with a spinal cord injury after receiving an experimental electrical implant. The treatment, known as epidural stimulation, has shown positive changes in blood pressure control, bowel function, and energy levels.
Researchers at University of Louisville find activity-based training improves bladder and bowel function, increases sexual desire in individuals with severe spinal cord injury. The training also strengthens neural circuits that control urogenital and bowel functions.
Researchers developed a therapeutic complex based on multi-layer polymer nano-structures of superoxide dismutase (SOD) to effectively rehabilitate patients after acute spinal injuries, strokes, and heart attacks. The substance can neutralize free radicals and reduce swelling, promoting faster recovery.
A study by MBL researchers found that genes aiding lamprey spinal cord healing are also active in mammalian peripheral nervous systems. The findings support the idea of harnessing these genes for improved spinal cord injury treatments.
A UNIST professor has been awarded for his work on a patch that can regenerate damaged spinal cords, with the aim of preventing further progression of damages and optimizing neurogeneration. The patch is currently in Phase III clinical trials and contains FDA-approved materials, showing promising therapeutic effectiveness.
A team of experts re-analyzed data from 31 clinical trials to compare single vs. multiple-use catheters and urinary tract infections. They found that studies tend to favour single-use catheters, indicating potential risks with catheter reuse.
Research published in Experimental Physiology found that spinal cord injury affects the heart, with changes dependent on injury severity. The study suggests preserving more nerve fibers can improve heart function in individuals with spinal cord injury, who are at higher risk of heart disease.
A team of researchers from the University of Bristol has successfully transplanted genetically modified olfactory ensheathing cells that secrete a treatment enzyme, promoting nerve regrowth in rodent models of spinal cord injury. This approach may potentially lead to improved recovery and functional restoration for individuals with sev...
Amanda Botticello at Kessler Foundation leads a study on a six-week cognitive-behavioral intervention to enhance self-efficacy and community participation in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The five-year grant aims to enroll over 250 participants and improve outcomes for people with SCI.
A new three-year Qualitative Research Award from the Department of Defense will explore strategies used by veterans with spinal cord injury to succeed in the workplace. Researchers will compare data from Spinal Cord Injury Model System and Veterans Health Administration to identify barriers and success factors.
Researchers have successfully treated paraplegic rats using human stem cells, which have shown significantly improved mobility and sensory perception after spinal cord injury. The engineered tissue containing stem cells also demonstrated some degree of spinal cord healing.
A new study published in Journal of Neurotrauma found that traumatic spinal cord injuries can lead to persistent changes in metabolism, blood flow, and oxygenation up to 7 days post-injury. This suggests that current clinical practices may not be sufficient to prevent ischemia-related damage.
Researchers at the University of Guelph have discovered the type of stem cell responsible for a gecko's ability to regrow its tail. The study found that the gecko's spinal cord contains radial glia stem cells, which proliferate and form new tissue after injury.
A research participant regained voluntary motor function, including standing and moving without stimulation, six years after a complete spinal cord injury. The recovery was achieved through extended activity-based training with epidural stimulation, challenging previous beliefs that severe injuries would not improve over time.
Researchers developed exercise recommendations for adults with spinal cord injuries, including moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise and strengthening exercises. The guidelines aim to improve fitness and reduce mortality rates among people with SCI, addressing leading causes of death such as cardiovascular disease and obesity.
Researchers have developed a novel in vitro platform to analyze zebrafish oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which could lead to improved spinal cord repair in humans. The system allows for efficient and controlled analysis of these cells, enabling the study of their differentiation into mature oligodendrocytes.
According to the nTIDE September 2017 jobs report, Americans with disabilities have seen a significant increase in employment-to-population ratio, rising from 28.0% in September 2016 to 30.4% in September 2017. The labor force participation rate also increased for working-age people with disabilities.
Researchers identified a new mechanism for how spinal cord injury weakens the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to pneumonia. Disrupting nerve fibers to the adrenal glands may be a promising treatment strategy to prevent or reduce infections.
A newly-discovered reflex arc disrupts hormone secretion by adrenal glands, leading to increased bacterial infections. Trauma-induced spinal cord injuries weaken the immune system, resulting in severe infections and hindering nervous tissue regeneration.
Researchers aim to restore walking ability and sensation in individuals with spinal cord injuries using an implantable brain-computer interface. The technology has potential applications beyond spinal cord injuries, including stroke and traumatic brain injury recovery.
Researchers developed a drug treatment that prevents bladder wall remodeling, significantly improving bladder compliance in dogs with spinal cord injuries. The study found long-term benefits for animals treated with the broad spectrum MMP inhibitor GM6001.
A biodegradable nanoparticle injection after a spinal cord injury prevents inflammation and scarring that inhibits repair. Mice with the treatment were able to walk better than those without, suggesting a potential new approach for human spinal cord injury treatment.
A new study in mice found that transplantation of donor stem cells from human brain tissue can help repair an injured spinal cord. However, the effectiveness of these stem cells is hindered by the body's immune response to injury. Immune cell depletion can improve the recovery outcome for animals receiving transplanted stem cells.
Researchers found that human neural stem cells retained an intrinsic human rate of maturation despite being placed in a traumatic rodent environment. The study's findings suggest that clinical outcome measures for future trials need to focus on long time points after grafting, as success may take time.
A team of scientists at Boston Children's Hospital has developed a therapeutic cocktail that promotes axon regrowth after spinal cord injury or stroke, resulting in improved fine motor skills. The treatment showed significant improvement in mice with either condition, with error rates dropping to 30% and 46% respectively.
Researchers have pinpointed key molecules that prompt damaged nerve fibres in zebrafish to regenerate themselves. Understanding these signals could hold clues for therapies to help heal the spinal cord after injury.
Scientists developed an algorithm for a robotic harness that provides personalized support to address motor defects in stroke and spinal cord injury patients. Wearing the harness allows participants to walk with abilities comparable to healthy individuals, offering a promising alternative to traditional rehabilitation programs.