Articles tagged with Spinal Cord Injuries
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Researchers have found evidence that meninges, a membrane surrounding the central nervous system, contains self-renewing stem cells. This discovery may lead to new treatments for spinal cord injuries and degenerative brain disorders, as these stem cells can proliferate and form glial scars after injury.
The New England Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center at Boston Medical Center has been awarded a five-year grant to continue as the leading center in New England for spinal cord injury care, education, and research. This designation underscores the center's commitment to staying on the cutting edge of spinal cord research and treatment.
New research reveals that spinal cord injuries are associated with a higher risk of developing heart disease, particularly in individuals with autonomic dysfunction. The study suggests that screening the autonomic system may be beneficial in evaluating cardiovascular health in spinal cord patients.
The University of Louisville and Frazier Rehab Institute have been awarded a $2.2 million grant to establish a Spinal Cord Injury Model System, which aims to provide comprehensive rehabilitative care and advance research into treating spinal cord injuries. The program will serve the states of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Researchers believe that timing has finally come to support the conduct of human clinical trials for stem cell therapy in spinal cord injuries. Currently, research is largely stuck at the animal model stage. Studies evaluate 11 different cell types/sources and provide evidence justifying their use.
A new technology, FLAMES (floating light activated micro-electrical stimulators), has been developed to help individuals with spinal cord injuries. The device is wirelessly controlled and can activate nerves in the spinal cord, allowing patients to regain motor functions.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have restored breathing function in an adult rodent model of spinal cord injury by biologically regenerating lost nerve connections to the diaphragm. The enzyme-based technique showed promising results, with 80-100% breathing function restored and maintained for six months.
A study by Wayne State University researchers found that self-rated physical ability tops injury severity as a determining factor of health ratings in adults with spinal cord injuries. The study suggests that people with disabilities can still rate their health as excellent or good despite being confined to a wheelchair or paralyzed.
A study published in Cell Transplantation investigated the optimal routes for transplanting neural stem/progenitor cells in animal models of spinal cord injury. Intralesional injection was found to be the best method, with high cell survival rates and no complications. This method holds promise for treating other disorders
A team of scientists has achieved a significant breakthrough in treating paralysis, allowing a paralyzed man to stand and take steps with assistance. The study uses epidural electrical stimulation to mimic brain signals, enabling the spinal cord's neural network to initiate movement.
Researchers at the University of Louisville have achieved significant breakthroughs in treating paraplegia through epidural spinal cord stimulation and extensive locomotor training. The study's results, published in The Lancet, show that a paralyzed man can stand, step, and move his legs voluntarily with assistance.
Scientists have created a chemically synthesized siRNA molecule that decreases RhoA protein production, promoting tissue healing and reducing pain after spinal cord injuries. The minimally-invasive treatment shows promise for treating over 250,000 people living with spinal cord injuries in the US.
Researchers mapped spinal cord function using MRI to improve injury diagnosis and treatment. Attention levels impact spinal cord processing, affecting pain management for those with spinal cord injuries.
A new clinical prediction rule has been developed to predict a patient's chances of walking independently after a spinal cord injury, with accuracy exceeding 95%. The model uses a combination of age and four neurological test results, providing a simple yet effective tool for physicians to counsel patients and their families.
Researchers have discovered that specific human astrocytes derived from stem cells can repair damaged nervous systems and promote locomotor function in spinal cord injured rats. The study reveals the importance of creating beneficial cell types through tissue culture before transplantation, providing a potential new avenue for treating...
Researchers found that functional electrical stimulation (FES) therapy worked better than conventional occupational therapy alone to increase patients' ability to pick up and hold objects. FES therapy also improved daily activities such as dressing and eating, with significant implications for quality of life and independence.
Two projects will test BCI technology in patients with spinal cord injuries, allowing them to control computer cursors and prosthetic limbs using their thoughts. The projects aim to gain a better understanding of how to train and motivate patients who will benefit from BCI technology.
Patients with strokes and spinal cord injuries are prone to life-threatening blood clots. Despite the high risk, many do not receive preventive therapy. Studies show that starting heparin medication within 24-48 hours can be both safe and effective in preventing recurrent VTE.
Researchers at the University of Florida discover that some children with spinal cord injuries may not regain movement after traditional assessments. However, through locomotor training, these children were able to improve their walking ability and trunk control, highlighting a potential new approach for rehabilitation.
Scientists identify specific receptors, TLR-2 and dectin-1, that can be targeted to stop damage while promoting nerve cell growth after a spinal cord injury. An experimental compound was found to activate the TLR-2 receptor alone, enhancing axon growth without causing cell death.
Researchers discovered that connections in the spinal cord regrew spontaneously and extensively after a mild spinal cord injury in primates, restoring 60% of original connections. This finding holds significant promise for developing new treatments for patients with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers found a significant decrease in macrophage activity at spinal cord injury sites in mice without spleens, indicating the spleen's role in promoting inflammation. Understanding how these cells function and manipulating their release could improve treatment options for spinal cord injuries.
The Northwestern University-led trial assesses the safety and tolerability of human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendrocyte progenitor cells in paralyzed subjects with spinal cord injuries. The goal is to evaluate if these stem cells improve neuromuscular control or sensation in the trunk or lower extremities.
Neuralstem's spinal cord stem cells survive and differentiate into neurons in rat brains affected by stroke, leading to improved motor skill and strength measurements. The study shows significant promise for treating post-stroke symptoms and paralysis.
A UC Irvine study shows that human neural stem cells can reverse long-term hind-limb paralysis in mice with chronic spinal cord injuries. The therapy demonstrates potential for treating a broader population of patients with spinal cord injuries.
A team of researchers has developed an approach to repairing spinal cord injuries using manipulated neural stem cells. In a mouse model, the cells were combined with valproic acid and resulted in impressive restoration of hind limb function. Further work is needed to determine if this approach can be used in human patients.
Neural stem cells can repair damaged spinal cords by promoting nerve cell generation, restoring hind limb function in mice. Vitamin D may help prevent allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in cystic fibrosis patients.
Researchers at UCI, UCSD, and Harvard have induced robust regeneration of nerve connections that control voluntary movement after spinal cord injury. By deleting a cell growth inhibitor called PTEN, they achieved this breakthrough by turning back the developmental clock in a molecular pathway critical for the growth of corticospinal tr...
The US Department of Defense has awarded over $1 million to a team of researchers at the University of Western Ontario to develop an antibody treatment for spinal cord injuries. The therapy targets inflammation caused by CD11d protein, which can limit damage and improve recovery rates.
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has shown that treating injured rat spinal cords with the enzyme sialidase improves nerve regrowth, motor recovery, and nervous system function. The treatment also showed improvements in blood pressure control and increased number of sprouted nerve ends.
Spinal cord injuries affect approximately 12,000 people annually and 259,000 Americans currently live with long-lasting SCI. A new study suggests that a multidisciplinary approach is most likely to achieve results in treating spinal cord injuries, leveraging expertise from several fields.
A study published by the German Cancer Research Center found that CD95L promotes tissue-damaging inflammatory reactions in injured spinal cord tissue. Blocking this molecule may offer a new approach to treating severe inflammatory diseases.
Researchers have discovered a compound that prevents short circuits caused by damaged nerves, restoring function and transmitting signals more efficiently. The experimental drug, 4-aminopyridine-3-methyl hydroxide, may also be used to treat multiple sclerosis.
A UCI embryonic stem cell treatment has shown promise in restoring limb function in rats with neck spinal cord injuries. The therapy may also benefit individuals with cervical damage, which currently lacks effective treatments.
Purdue researchers have discovered a new approach for repairing damaged nerve fibers in spinal cord injuries using copolymer micelles, which not only deliver drugs but also directly repair axons. The treatment boosts axon recovery from 18% to 60%, showing promising results for treating spinal cord injuries.
Weill Cornell Medical College researchers aim to boost NAD+ levels after spinal cord injury, potentially preventing permanent nerve death. The study involves synthesizing a molecule that increases NAD+ production in cells, which may activate sirtuins and prevent cell death.
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report that regeneration of central nervous system axons can be achieved in rats even when treatment is delayed by more than a year after the original spinal cord injury. The team used a combination of treatments to coax chronically injured axons to regenerate and...
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center found that a tailored approach to physical therapy can restore a wider variety of functions in rats with spinal cord injuries. After four weeks of training on a robotic device, trained animals had shorter stride lengths and improved walking performance compared to non-trained animals.
A new study suggests that a damaging inflammatory response following spinal cord injury can prevent healing and promote chronic pain. Anti-inflammatory macrophages, which are typically involved in later stages of injury repair, were found to promote effective growth of axons but disappear shortly after an injury.
Researchers have discovered a diet high in fat can accelerate spinal cord injury recovery, while stem cell implants pre-screened for immature cells show promising results. The findings offer new hope for the over one million people affected by spinal cord injuries in North America.
A team of researchers has identified a novel therapeutic target for central nervous system injuries, including spinal cord injuries. They found that chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) bind to the surface of neurons, and blocking this binding may lead to improved regeneration.
Researchers are exploring a groundbreaking method that uses electrical stimulation and exercise to enable paralyzed individuals to walk. The technique, inspired by recent breakthroughs in animal studies, shows promise for those with complete spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at Ohio State University have identified B cells as a key player in worsening spinal cord injury outcomes, but also found that removing or inhibiting these cells may help improve recovery. The study suggests potential new therapeutic targets for minimizing injury and promoting repair after traumatic spinal cord injury.
A new study by neuroscientists at Ohio State University suggests that immune responses to spinal cord injuries may actually worsen and extend the damage. Inhibiting antibody-producing B cells may promote healing and reduce long-term effects of spinal cord injury.
Researchers have identified a potential link between B cells and spinal cord injury, suggesting that therapies targeting these immune cells may improve recovery outcomes. In a separate study, scientists developed an assay to distinguish harmful from harmless BRCA1 mutations, which could help identify patients at risk of breast cancer.
Researchers discover regeneration of severed nerve fibers is not required for paraplegic rats to learn to walk again. Daily treadmill training enables rats to regain full weight-bearing walking abilities.
Researchers discover gecko tails have intricate movement patterns after shedding, including flips up to 3cm in height. The isolated tail serves as a vehicle for studying spinal cord function and nerve-muscle coordination.
Researchers have made significant findings in understanding the effects of diet on cognitive performance in pilots, with high-fat diets showing improved flight performance scores. Additionally, a new approach to treating spinal cord injury using stereotactic X-irradiation has shown promise in improving locomotor function.
Researchers successfully guided regenerating sensory axons to their correct targets and formed synapses, but not electrically active connections due to lack of myelin sheath. The study suggests that restoring the myelin sheath is crucial for fully restoring function in injured spinal cords.
A subset of infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages, expressing interleukin-10, exhibits an anti-inflammatory role in spinal cord injuries. This suggests that these cells may have a beneficial effect on recovery from such injuries.
A common food additive, Brilliant Blue G, has been identified as a potential treatment for spinal cord injury. The compound stops the cascade of molecular events that cause secondary damage, allowing patients to recover from paralysis. Researchers have successfully tested BBG in rats with spinal cord injuries, showing promising results.
Research reveals that blood-derived macrophages with interleukin-10 expression have an anti-inflammatory effect on spinal cord injuries. This finding suggests that these cells may contribute to the recovery process after injury.
Researchers have identified a crucial molecular pathway required for the formation of brain neural circuits. This breakthrough has significant implications for understanding how axons reach their targets, paving the way for new therapies to treat spinal cord injuries, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists at UC San Diego School of Medicine have clearly shown regeneration of critical nerve fibers required for voluntary movement. The breakthrough uses genetically engineered neurons to over-express receptors for BDNF, enabling corticospinal axon regeneration.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have discovered an experimental agent that can reverse damage from spinal cord injury by blocking inflammatory reactions. The study shows that microglial cells release neurotoxic factors after injury, leading to lasting nerve cell damage.
Researchers reported on eight patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) who received multiple route bone marrow stem cell injections, showing functional improvements such as bladder control. The study demonstrated the safety and feasibility of multiple route administration of bone marrow-derived stem cells for SCI treatment.
A study found that transplantation of stem cells from the spinal cord lining reverses paralysis in laboratory tests. The transplanted cells regenerated ten times faster than similar cells from healthy control animals.
The partnership aims to translate early research into new treatments for chronic spinal cord injuries, which currently leave patients with lifelong suffering. Dr. Evan Snyder and Dr. Mark Tuszynski will lead the effort to use stem cells to repair damaged neural cells in adults.
A protein called GluR1 enables nerve cells to communicate, promoting dendrite growth and connection formation. Research suggests that manipulating this protein's activity could enhance communication among neurons, improving motor function in patients with spinal cord or nerve injuries.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in treating spinal cord injuries by manipulating stem cells to promote nerve regeneration. The research focused on astrocytes and found two distinct sub-types with robustly different effects when transplanted into injured adult nervous systems, offering hope for victims of paralysis.