Articles tagged with Spinal Cord Injuries
A groundbreaking study has enabled four paraplegic men to regain voluntary movement in their legs through epidural electrical stimulation of the spinal cord. The therapy, which mimics brain signals to initiate movement, demonstrates the potential for functional recovery even years after severe spinal cord injuries.
A novel therapy using electrical stimulation of the spinal cord has helped four patients with paraplegia regain voluntary movement, including flexion of toes, ankles, and knees. Researchers believe this approach may change the prognosis for people with paralysis even years after injury.
Miriam Hwang's article on longitudinal changes in medical complications in adults with pediatric spinal cord injury won the Ernest Bors, M.D., Award. The award recognizes excellence among young investigators pursuing careers dedicated to bettering lives of individuals with spinal cord injury.
A new gene therapy has shown promising results in improving hind limb function in rats with spinal cord injuries. The treatment involves delivering a scar-busting gene that promotes the survival of nerve cells and reduces inflammation, leading to improved mobility and tissue repair.
A new clinical trial will assess whether multi-family group treatment can help individuals with spinal cord injuries and their caregivers cope better. The two-year project focuses on providing psychological support and coping strategies to improve patients' quality of life.
The Kessler Foundation has received funding for five research projects focused on spinal cord injury rehabilitation. These projects aim to improve pain management, functional outcomes, and quality of life for individuals with SCI.
A new study published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery finds that diaphragm pacing stimulation is effective in weaning patients with spinal cord injuries from mechanical ventilators. The treatment can also bridge patients to independent respiration, allowing them to breathe on their own without assistance.
Rates of traumatic spinal cord injuries are rising fastest among those over 65, with falls being the leading cause. The average age of injured adults has increased from 41 to 51, and fatalities are more common in older individuals.
A study finds that 77 percent of spinal cord injury survivors have symptomatic sleep-disordered breathing, while 92 percent experience poor sleep quality. The nature of sleep apnea in these patients is complex, with a high occurrence of both obstructive and central sleep apnea events.
Researchers have developed a new measure to prevent iatrogenic spinal cord injury during surgery. Changes in somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) latency reflect the degree of spinal cord ischemic injury, while amplitude variations indicate late spinal cord reperfusion injury.
The Kessler Foundation is conducting a 3-year research study to improve the health and quality of life of military personnel and civilians with spinal cord injury. The study aims to develop an assessment tool that evaluates individuals' ability to direct their care and their caregivers' skills in performing care tasks.
A group of Chinese experts collaborated to establish a standard for the management of acute thoracolumbar spine and spinal cord injury. The consensus, published in Neural Regeneration Research, provides guidelines for evaluating and treating these injuries based on evidence-based medicine and clinical experiences.
Research finds that suppressing fidgetin enzyme regrows injured nerve cells and their connections, potentially offering a new therapeutic approach for tissue regeneration and repair. The study's findings have implications for treating spinal cord injury, myocardial infarction, and chronic cutaneous wounds.
A systematic review of animal studies found that stem cell therapy can improve sensory and motor outcomes for spinal cord injury patients, with average improvements of 25% in both areas. The study's meta-analysis also revealed important lessons on how to design future animal studies.
Researchers found that transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells improved autonomic nerve function in patients with spinal cord injury. The study used a simple electrophysiological detection method to assess sympathetic skin response, which showed significant recovery after treatment.
Researchers have discovered a promising new treatment that can help people with spinal cord injuries walk better. The study involved 19 participants who received short periods of breathing low oxygen levels, resulting in improved walking speed and endurance.
Researchers have identified a molecule that promotes nerve regeneration in the sea lamprey, an eel-like fish. The discovery may guide future efforts to promote recovery in humans who have suffered spinal cord injuries. Cyclic AMP acts as an 'on' switch to convert non-growing neurons into growing ones.
Researchers found that a virtual sailing simulator improved quality of life, self-confidence, and overall well-being for participants with chronic spinal cord injuries. The study showed rapid improvement in sailing skills and successful completion of sailing lessons on the water.
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences found that electrical stimulation with a reversed polarity can effectively modulate injury potentials and promote the spontaneous repair of cell membranes in rats with spinal cord injuries. This study proposes a method to define stimulation intensity based on injury potential values.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.