Articles tagged with Spinal Cord Injuries
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that treadmill step training significantly improved spontaneous motor activity in rats with incomplete spinal cord injury. The training also promoted neural plasticity and growth-associated protein-43 expression, leading to functional recovery.
Researchers found that scar tissue formed by stem cells after spinal cord injury helps to prevent further damage and facilitates the survival of damaged nerve cells. The study suggests that more rather than less stem cell scarring could limit the consequences of a spinal cord injury.
A systematic review found that early spinal decompression surgery following traumatic spinal cord injury is associated with significantly greater motor and neurological improvement. However, the evidence supporting early spinal surgery lacks robustness due to various sources of bias.
Researchers found combined transplantation of astrocytes and decorin promotes axonal regeneration and growth, inhibiting astrocyte proliferation and glial scar formation. This therapy offers a potential new approach for spinal cord injury repair.
Researchers at BIDMC are investigating a new noninvasive therapy called Spinal Associative Stimulation (SAS) that combines TMS and peripheral nerve stimulation to activate weakened muscles in patients with spinal cord injuries. SAS aims to increase voluntary activation of residual undamaged spinal-cord fibers, promoting clinical recovery.
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine has published a new issue focusing on the latest research and treatment developments in spinal cord injury. The issue includes articles on various topics such as botulinum toxin use, urology, neuroscience, rehabilitation psychology, and more.
Researchers have discovered that biphasic electrical stimulation can prevent apoptosis in stem cells used to treat spinal cord injuries, offering new hope for patients. The study's findings suggest that BES may be used to improve cell survival and prevent cell death in stem cell-based transplantation therapies.
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine has published a special issue on assistive technology, featuring research on exoskeletal-assisted ambulation, virtual reality-based simulators, and robotic wheelchairs. The issue covers various topics to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injuries.
Chinese herbal medicine JSK improves spinal cord injury outcomes in rats by reducing inflammation, cell apoptosis, and boosting local oxygen supply. It promotes tissue regeneration, restores function, and supports weight-bearing movements.
Researchers found that controlling inflammation in the lower spinal cord is critical to the success of treadmill training after a spinal cord injury. Early training with minimal inflammation led to significant improvements in walking, lasting up to 42 days, while late training failed to produce similar results.
Researchers at Ohio State University have restored immune function in spinal injured mice, providing a potential explanation for why people with spinal cord injuries become susceptible to infections. By targeting specific hormones involved in autonomic dysreflexia, the study offers new therapeutic targets for reversing central immune d...
Researchers developed an inertial sensor-based monitoring system to track upper limb movements in patients with impairment. The system was validated using a commercial optoelectronic system and showed promise in assessing functional rehabilitation of the upper limbs.
Kuo-Fen Lee's discovery of the protein P45 provides insight into a possible molecular mechanism to promote rerouting for spinal cord healing and functional recovery. P45 has been shown to have a previously unknown neuroprotective effect, preventing cell death in injured mice.
Researchers found that X-ray irradiation inhibits glial scar formation, promoting axonal regeneration and improving locomotor function. The optimal treatment time window is day 7 post-injury.
The Kessler Foundation received significant funding for research on spinal cord injuries, including studies on assisted walking with Ekso and the impact of aging on cardiovascular health. The grants will help advance therapies that improve function and quality of life for individuals with SCI.
A study by researchers at the University of Zurich and UCL found that irreversible tissue loss occurs in spinal cord injury patients as early as 40 days after injury. The study used novel MRI protocols to track changes in the spinal cord and brain, revealing a rapid decline in spinal cord diameter and nerve cell volume.
Researchers in Poland treated three paraplegic patients with transplanted olfactory ensheathing cells, showing improved spinal cord transmission and lower extremity muscle activity. The study found no adverse effects and modest improvements against intense neuro-rehabilitation.
Researchers aim to improve treatment and rehabilitation strategies for children with spinal cord injuries using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The study plans to enroll 100 children, including those with spinal cord injuries and healthy controls.
Researchers have developed a non-invasive method to detect acrolein levels in people with spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis, offering potential relief from symptoms. The test measures N-acetyl-S-3-Hydroxypropylcysteine, a metabolite of acrolein, which is stable in urine.
A single injection of human neural stem cells produced therapeutic benefits in rats with acute spinal cord injury, including improved function and mobility. The grafted stem cells stimulated host neuron regeneration and partially replaced the function of lost neurons, reducing muscle spasticity.
A study published in Stem Cell Research and Therapy found that grafting fetal human stem cells into the spine improves both motor and sensory functions, as well as structural integrity, in rats with acute lumbar compression injuries. The researchers also observed long-term improvements in spinal cord segments.
The ReWalk powered exoskeleton restored ambulatory function to patients with thoracic-level spinal cord injury. Dr. Alberto Esquenazi won the 2012 AAP Excellence in Research Writing Award for this study.
Research shows that individuals with spinal cord injuries perceive their wheelchairs as a functional substitute for their affected body part. This perception is not limited by time since injury or experience with using the wheelchair, indicating a deeper integration of prosthetics into bodily awareness.
A new study suggests that long-term functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling is associated with substantial improvements in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. The therapy provides cardiovascular exercise, stimulates movement in paralyzed muscles, and enhances neurological and functional gains.
A study published in Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found that patients with left-sided brain injuries are more susceptible to hospital-acquired infections. The research suggests that optimizing the balance between left and right brain activity may improve infection resistance and lead to novel interventions.
The Collaboration on Mobility Training (COMIT) study aims to maximize independence among wheelchair users with spinal cord injury. The five-year study will examine the impact of web-based training and group sessions on wheelchair skills and maintenance.
Scientists at MBL have identified several genes linked to human neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, in the sea lamprey genome. The discovery will accelerate research on spinal cord injury recovery, as lampreys can regenerate their nervous system after injury.
Researchers at EPFL have successfully developed a neuroprosthetic system that enables completely paralyzed rats to walk and run again after just weeks of treatment. The technology uses stretchable spinal electrode arrays controlled by smart stimulation algorithms, combined with novel robotic rehabilitation. With the goal of restoring v...
Researchers at Pitt/UPMC successfully used brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to enable a paralyzed man to control a computer cursor and robot arm with his thoughts. The study, published in PLoS ONE, demonstrates the potential for BCI technology to help individuals regain independence after spinal cord injuries.
A training program to adjust motor reflexes may help individuals with incomplete spinal cord injuries walk more efficiently. The study found that participants who could suppress hyperactive reflexes experienced significant improvements in their walking speed and gait symmetry.
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine published the final phase of the SCIRehab Project, which investigated inpatient rehabilitation practices for acute spinal cord injury. The study found associations between interventions and patient outcomes, informing clinical decision-making and guiding clinicians in selecting interventions.
Researchers developed an oral drug that improved limb movement and preserved myelin-surfacing cells in mice after a spinal cord injury. The compound efficiently crossed the blood-brain barrier and showed no toxic effects, with the highest dose demonstrating significant improvements in motor function.
A new study published in Journal of Neurotrauma reveals that the premotoneuronal system in the cervical spine may be involved in permanent limb impairment after spinal cord injury. The research proposes a potential target for therapeutic strategies to promote recovery and repair.
Researchers developed a novel hybrid conduit that combines soft and electrically-active materials to guide nerve regeneration and reconnection. The design showed promising results in rats, with significant muscle mass gain compared to other designs.
Researchers developed a noninvasive stimulation protocol to temporarily improve hand function in people with spinal cord injuries. The treatment, paired with transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation, successfully enhanced spinal cord transmission and voluntary motor output, leading to greater manual dexterity.
Researchers aim to understand how service members with spinal cord injuries reintegrate into society and rebuild their lives. The three-year grant will study 60 veterans at different stages of recovery, exploring their long-term goals and expectations for community reintegration.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created a powered exoskeleton that enables people with severe spinal cord injuries to stand, walk, sit and climb stairs. The device provides an unprecedented degree of independence, allowing users to transport it on their wheelchair and use it with minimal concentration.
Amanda Botticello received a $736,216 NIH grant to investigate the role of environmental factors in rehabilitation outcomes for spinal cord injury. The study aims to identify community-level factors that threaten physical, psychological, and social gains during rehabilitation.
New animal studies demonstrate potential for stem cell treatments in Parkinson's disease, head trauma and spinal cord injury-related heart problems. Scientists are making progress toward using stem cells to repair neurological damage and produce healthy neurons.
Researchers have identified potential therapies for managing spinal cord injury aftereffects, including deep brain stimulation, electric pulses, and social contact. Studies suggest these methods can repair nervous system damage and reduce chronic health conditions, offering new hope for those affected by SCI.
A study of spinal injury data found that explosions accounted for 56% of spine injuries, followed by motor vehicle collisions and gunshots. The average age of injured personnel was 26.5 years, and 90% were enlisted personnel.
Mercyhurst University researchers have developed new protocols for managing cervical spine injuries in football players, with the goal of achieving the highest level of care. The research, conducted in collaboration with Sports Medicine Concepts and the NFL, aims to standardize emergency management protocols and improve on-field response.
Neural stem cells successfully regenerates axons across the site of complete spinal transaction, leading to functional recovery in rats. The study also showed that adult cells can regenerate into neural stem cells, establishing a new relay circuit that can be measured electrically.
A clinical trial of Ekso-assisted walking in 13 patients with a range of spinal cord injuries found positive results, including improved gait and balance, increased oxygen consumption, and reduced cardiovascular responses. Long-term studies are needed to fully evaluate the effects.
Researchers are testing the upgraded Ekso, a wearable robotic exoskeletal device, to improve mobility in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The new features enable greater user control and collect usage data for monitoring progress.
A new prediction model for long-term functional outcomes after traumatic spinal cord injury is presented, combining acute functional measures with imaging factors. The model has the potential to guide treatment decisions and improve patient care.
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has awarded $20 million to UCI and StemCells Inc. to advance joint project treating cervical spinal cord injury using human neural stem cells. The funding will support the collection of data necessary to establish human clinical trials in the US.
Researchers found that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal cord injury promotes functional recovery. Bone marrow cell transplantation coupled with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor also shows neuroprotective and angiogenic effects in ALS animal models.
Researchers at EPFL successfully rehabilitated rats with spinal cord injuries using a combination of robotic harnesses and electrical-chemical stimulation. The study, published in Science, reveals that the dormant spinal column can be awakened to restore voluntary movement, suggesting new methods for treating paralysis.
A new surgical technique has restored some hand function to a quadriplegic patient with a spinal cord injury, allowing for basic independence. The procedure involves rerouting working nerves in the upper arms and can potentially benefit patients with C6 and C7 spinal cord injuries.
A 71-year-old man regained partial thumb and finger movement after undergoing nerve transfer surgery to bypass a cervical spinal cord injury. The procedure, described as reducing the severity of the injury by placing healthy motor nerves close to damaged ones, took less time than traditional repair methods.
Kessler Foundation researchers Mark Nash et al won the 2012 Apple Award for their article on extended-release niacin monotherapy for treating dyslipidemia risks in persons with chronic tetraplegia. The study, conducted across multiple SCI research centers, demonstrates the efficacy and safety of this treatment approach.
A combination of treatments including a polymer scaffold, neurotrophin-3, and chondroitinase enhanced the benefits of neural stem cell transplantation in rat models. This approach promoted nerve growth, improved cell survival and migration, and restored neuroplasticity.
Researchers have discovered that administering FTY720, an oral drug shown promise for multiple sclerosis, significantly improves motor function recovery in mice with spinal cord injuries. The study suggests targeting sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors may be a new avenue to counteract the degeneration of the spinal cord in human SCI.
A study published in PLoS One found that surgery less than 24 hours after a traumatic cervical spine injury leads to reduced neural tissue destruction and improved clinical outcomes. The research, known as the Surgical Timing in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (STASCIS), involved 313 patients with spinal cord injuries.
Kessler Foundation partners with Ekso Bionics to test the wearable, robotic battery-powered exoskeleton's potential in rehabilitation research. Scientists will study its impact on circulation, bone density, and overall health.
A new therapeutic strategy using a single injection of fibronectin has shown potential to improve patient outcomes in treating chronic neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury. This approach inhibits the development of mechanical allodynia, a common type of chronic pain experienced by spinal cord injury patients.
Ryan Gilbert, assistant professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, receives a $500,000 NSF CAREER Award to create novel biomaterials that can reduce astrocyte reactivity and aid nerve regeneration after spinal cord injuries. The project aims to deliver therapies directly to the injury site to promote axon growth.
Researchers at UCSF have found that neutrophils use mechanical force to transmit tension across their membrane, restricting activity to the leading edge and enabling them to attack invaders. This discovery could lead to new therapies for conditions such as spinal cord injury and cancer.
The 2011 revision of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) was published to guide consistent classification of spinal cord injuries. The new guidelines improve data reliability for clinical care and research studies.