UAB researchers have identified a protein called IL-37 that suppresses the inflammatory response after spinal cord injuries, minimizing tissue degeneration and functional disabilities. This discovery opens the door to a new treatment for acute spinal cord injuries, which currently has no effective treatment available.
The Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering will receive funding to support research on implantable devices that promote brain plasticity and reanimate paralyzed limbs. The goal is to achieve proof-of-concept demonstrations in humans within five years, laying the groundwork for eventual clinical devices approved by the FDA.
Frank Bradke's groundbreaking research on neural regeneration and spinal cord injuries has earned him the coveted Leibniz Prize. His work aims to promote axon regeneration after spinal cord injury, inhibiting scar tissue formation and activating nerve cells' regenerative potential.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a stem cell treatment that mediates an immune response to spinal cord injury, reducing tissue damage and preserving function. The treatment, involving multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs), was effective in preventing the cascade of immune responses that often lead to l...
Researchers at UT Dallas have made a breakthrough in developing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy for spinal cord injuries outside the forebrain. The study found that VNS paired with rehabilitation can restore 75% more forelimb strength after a cervical spinal cord injury, opening up new possibilities for treatment.
A zebrafish study has discovered that serotonin boosts the growth of new motor neurons after a spinal cord injury, a finding that could lead to new therapies for neurodegenerative conditions. Researchers hope that understanding this repair mechanism in zebrafish may eventually trigger similar processes in human stem cells.
Case Western Reserve University's Institute for Functional Restoration and Synapse Biomedical form a partnership to commercialize technology restoring movement in paralyzed patients. The partnership aims to bring the technology to those who need it, ensuring sustainable access through non-profit efforts.
A pioneering technique redirects peripheral nerves in the arms and hands of quadriplegic patients by connecting healthy nerves to injured ones. Patients experience improved hand and arm function, with some regaining independence in daily activities such as feeding themselves or writing with a pen.
Research finds that motivating patients with spinal cord injury activates the brain's motor cortex, promoting early-stage recovery. Psychological support is crucial for functional reinstatement of hand control.
A study published in Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that living in areas with greater mixed land use was associated with poorer perceived health among New Jersey residents with spinal cord injury. This contrasts with general population studies, which suggest benefits from more populated areas with mixed land use.
A participant with complete paralysis regained walking ability using a brain-controlled system that utilizes electroencephalogram signals. The study, published in Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, demonstrates the feasibility of non-invasive leg muscle stimulation using direct brain control.
A neuroimaging study will use diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI), enabling medical professionals to predict motor recovery and provide more accurate prognoses. The study aims to improve rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with incomplete SCI.
Researchers found that primates, like humans, recover partial motor control within the first six months after a spinal cord injury, whereas rats show limited recovery. The primate-specific mechanism of recovery involves detour circuits around lesions, restoring communication between brain and spinal cords.
Gerard E. Francisco, a renowned expert in physical medicine and rehabilitation, is being honored by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R). His research focuses on developing innovative treatments to help stroke survivors regain hand movement and speech.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is assessing the safety and activity of a special cell therapy for individuals with complete cervical spinal cord injuries. The therapy uses oligodendrocyte progenitor cells derived from human embryonic stem cells to potentially improve motor or sensory function.
Scientists at UCLA have made groundbreaking breakthroughs in treating paralysis by developing a non-invasive procedure that stimulates the spinal cord, enabling five men with complete paralysis to move their legs. The new approach has shown promising results, suggesting that patients may regain control of multiple body functions.
Researchers at SISSA developed a new spinal cord stimulation strategy to activate motor neurons, producing efficient motor patterns. The 'multi-site' approach and low-frequency stimulation combined to improve stimulation effectiveness.
Researchers found that implanting a biomaterial scaffold after spinal cord injury creates a favorable environment for nerve regeneration. Seeding Schwann cells had no significant effect on the lesion environment.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study analyzed data from 63,109 patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury and found a significant increase in incidence rates among men aged 65-74. Most patients regain some function after an injury, but many require lifelong healthcare services.
Research shows older patients with spinal cord injuries have more severe lag times between injury and surgery, with a significant delay in treating those over 70 years old compared to younger patients. This can lead to less severe injuries and better outcomes for these patients.
A new study reveals that older patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries are less likely to receive surgery and experience longer wait times for treatment. The delay in diagnosis and treatment may be due to age-related biases or delayed recognition of less severe injuries.
Researchers developed a computational model to predict pressure ulcer formation in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The model demonstrated that early anti-inflammatory measures were crucial in preventing ulcers.
A computational model predicts the development and progression of pressure ulcers in spinal cord injury patients. The model validated by virtual clinical trials shows that anti-inflammatory measures must be applied early to prevent ulcer formation.
Researchers found modest improvements in patients with spinal cord injury treated with olfactory mucosa transplants, showing 'promising and safe' results. The study demonstrated benefits in ASIA sensory scores, bladder compliance, sensation, and daily life activities.
The incidence rate of acute traumatic spinal cord injury remained relatively stable between 1993 and 2012, with a slight increase among older adults. The majority of cases were associated with falls, leading to a significant rise in spinal cord injuries among those 65 years or older.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine found that axon injury location affects regeneration in neurons. Injury before a branch point resulted in 89% regeneration, while cuts to both branches led to 67% regeneration.
Researchers at University of Queensland discovered a molecule called C5aR exacerbates inflammation and tissue damage after spinal cord injury. Administering an experimental drug that inhibits C5aR can improve recovery when given early after injury, potentially treating patients with spinal cord trauma.
Researchers are developing a groundbreaking therapy for spinal cord injury, enabling patients to regain autonomic control. The treatment involves epidural electrical stimulation, which stimulates nerves thought to be lost in spinal cord injuries.
A UBC study shows that Twitter is a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, with 25% of tweets about spinal cord injury coming from medical experts. The study also found that users discussing Parkinson's disease were more likely to share new research tools and methods.
Researchers are using novel methods to understand how nerve cells form new connections after spinal cord injury, with the goal of restoring function and movement. A five-year NIH grant will allow them to isolate specific cell types and study their growth and interactions.
Researchers at UVA School of Medicine have identified interleukin-33 as the biological trigger for a protective immune response to spinal cord injury. This discovery holds promise for improved treatments and diagnostic tests for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and brain trauma.
A new study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center has made significant progress in understanding the role of human astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and spinal cord injuries. Astrocytes, a type of glial cell, have been found to play a crucial role in neuronal survival and proper nervous system signaling.
Researchers create e-Dura implant to reduce inflammation and rejection, allowing long-term application on spinal cord. The flexible device closely mimics living tissue, enabling simultaneous electrical stimulation and pharmacological delivery.
Muscle spindle sensory feedback promotes repair of damaged neuronal networks after spinal cord injury. Basic locomotor functionality can be restored spontaneously, but fine motor task performance remains permanently lost. Activation of muscle spindles is essential for recovery, suggesting a key role in designing novel treatment strateg...
Researchers developed a new peptide that promotes functional recovery following spinal cord injury, with 21 out of 26 animals regaining bladder control, movement, or both. The peptide allows nerve fibers to overcome scarring and promotes serotonergic sprouting, enabling critical functions to be restored.
A new drug called ISP was designed to mimic a critical part of an enzyme found in damaged axons, promoting recovery from spinal cord injuries. Injections of the drug partially restored axon growth and improved movements and bladder functions in paralyzed rats.
A new study reveals that tobacco smoke's toxin acrolein can accumulate in the spinal cord and exacerbate pain in people with spinal cord injuries. Researchers found that acrolein levels were 50% higher than normal, sparking hope for potential treatment with hydralazine.
Researchers at Royal Holloway are working on a novel treatment for spinal cord injury, using an engineered form of chondroitinase to break down scar tissue and promote regeneration. The project aims to overcome the technical hurdle of delivering the protein to the injury site, a crucial step towards translating it into a clinical therapy.
A study by Worcester Polytechnic Institute found that paralyzed patients lose mechanical strength in their leg bones faster than expected, putting them at greater risk for fractures from minor stresses. Early therapies are crucial to maintain bone mass and strength.
Researchers have successfully transplanted olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) from a patient's own olfactory bulb into the damaged spinal cord, followed by a nerve bridge procedure. This treatment resulted in improved sensory and motor function for the paralyzed individual.
Researchers at UCLA have made a significant breakthrough in treating bladder function in people with spinal cord injuries. They found that training and epidural stimulation enabled paralyzed rats to empty their bladders more fully and efficiently.
A study published in The American Journal of Pathology suggests that matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) plays a pivotal role in disrupting the brain/spinal cord barrier, cell death, and functional deficits after spinal cord injury (SCI). Mice deficient in MMP-3 showed improved functional recovery and smaller volumes of injured tissue.
Researchers have discovered that ependymal progenitor cells can respond to purinergic receptors, which may lead to potential therapeutic alternatives in treating spinal cord injuries. A second study found that transplanted bone marrow cells enhanced neurological repair and remyelination of damaged areas.
Researchers suggest progesterone as a potential treatment for spinal cord injury due to its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Studies demonstrate that progesterone preserves white matter integrity and improves locomotor function in animal models of spinal cord lesion.
A study published by Kessler Foundation found small but significant differences in self-care and mobility at discharge among patients with motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI), with non-Hispanic blacks showing less improvement compared to Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites. The study used data from the Spinal Cord Injury Model System...
Researchers successfully grafted human induced pluripotent stem cells into rats with spinal cord injuries, causing the formation of mature neurons and extensive nerve fiber growth across long distances. However, functional recovery was not restored due to scar tissue blocking beneficial effects.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Veteran's Affairs San Diego Healthcare System report that neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) extended tens of thousands of axons across the rats' central nervous system. The study suggests a promising approach for treating spinal cor...
A new reporting standard has been proposed for spinal cord injury experiments to ensure uniformity in scientific reporting. The standard aims to facilitate the development of databases of experimental information, promoting the successful translation of treatments from laboratory to clinical settings.
Researchers propose combining axon regeneration with relay strategies to restore spinal cord injury function. Introducing a new host or graft-derived neuron is necessary to reestablish neuronal pathways and relay supraspinal signal transmission to target neurons.
Spinal cord injury pain is a debilitating consequence of neurological disorders, interfering with rehabilitation and quality of life. Microenvironment modulation enhances stem cell therapy for SCI pain by preventing aberrant central sprouting of nociceptive fibers.
Acrolein, a highly reactive aldehyde, contributes to motor and sensory deficits following spinal cord injury. Using acrolein scavengers may attenuate neuronal damage, making it a potential novel therapeutic target.
Ligaments disruption is a new perspective in the prognosis of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), offering a more accurate prediction of recovery outcomes. This approach has been published in Neural Regeneration Research and can be an essential tool for physicians in providing care to patients and families.
A lack of standards for experimental design and reporting hinders progress in developing therapeutics for spinal cord injuries. Implementing data standards and ontologies can facilitate transparency and analysis in neural plasticity and regeneration.
A recent study found that prolonged electrical stimulation does not cause damage to the sacral nerve roots of rabbits. The research suggests that neurons in the rabbit sacral nerve roots can tolerate long-term electrical stimulation, which could have implications for the treatment of spinal cord injuries.
A combination treatment of gene inhibitor AAVshPTEN and salmon fibrin injections restored voluntary motor function impaired by spinal cord injury in rodents. This breakthrough expands on previous research at UCI and provides a novel scaffold for neuronal axons to grow and link up again.
Researchers developed a novel scaffold for repairing spinal cord injuries, utilizing a double-layer collagen membrane with unequal pore sizes. This innovative approach enhanced the delivery of neural stem cells to the target site, promoting improved repair and recovery outcomes.
Researchers developed a therapy combining motoneuron-like cell transplantation with GDNF delivery, reducing cavity formations and increasing cell density. This treatment exhibited superior promoting effects on motor function recovery compared to individual therapies.
Researchers successfully silenced the Nogo-66 receptor gene in BMSCs, blocking its inhibitory effect and promoting neuronal growth. This breakthrough enhances the therapeutic effects of BMSC transplantation for spinal cord injury repair, offering new hope for patients.
Researchers found that immune cells in the central nervous system of elderly mice fail to activate an important signaling pathway, lowering chances for repair after spinal cord injury. In contrast, young adult mice showed a functional repair response.
A multi-site study will test strategies to improve bone and muscle strength after spinal cord injury, with the goal of minimizing secondary complications. The study aims to develop safe and effective interventions to address rapid wasting of muscles and bones in individuals with SCI.