Articles tagged with Spinal Cord
A recent study published in JNeurosci found that stroking skin triggers an anti-itch neural pathway in the spinal cord, reducing itchiness. The researchers discovered that sensory neurons under the skin activate anti-itch interneurons, leading to reduced neural activity and relief from itching.
Dr. Hon's article explores the risk of deep vein thrombosis in individuals with spinal cord injury, suggesting screening on admission may be advisable to identify at-risk patients. The Bors Award recognizes her contributions to advancing spinal cord injury care and research.
A team of researchers has developed an osmotic therapy device that removes fluid from the spinal cord to reduce swelling and prevent further damage. The device showed promising results in rats, reducing swelling and improving neurological outcomes.
Researchers have identified a specific type of neuron that plays an important role in gait recovery in mice, using machine learning to pinpoint the cells involved. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for paralysis and advance biomedical research.
Research from McMaster University suggests that high-intensity interval training can improve cardiorespiratory fitness in people with spinal cord injuries, matching the benefits of longer bouts of moderate intensity exercise. The study also found that HIIT is generally tolerable and poses few risks for this population.
A new study in mice reveals that a specific group of neurons in the brainstem control the direction of walking movements by applying the 'brake' to one side of the body. This discovery has significant implications for understanding motor disorders and could lead to new treatments.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting heat shock protein 90 in the spinal cord enhances opioid efficacy and decreases side effects. Hsp90 inhibitors could enable dose-reduction strategies for patients while maintaining pain relief.
Researchers successfully combined rat spinal cords with tissue-engineered muscles, creating a biohybrid system that produces electrical activity causing contraction. This innovation could lead to breakthroughs in understanding diseases like Lou Gehrig's and developing new surgical training tools.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign developed spinobots that can walk using a rat muscle and spinal cord tissue. The integration of the spinal cord gives them a natural walking rhythm, which could have implications for neurocomputing and restorative medicine.
Researchers discovered that TBK1 mutations in mice with ALS-like symptoms initially slow disease progression but later accelerate it. The study sheds light on the complex relationship between ALS genetics and its mechanisms, highlighting challenges in developing safe treatments.
Researchers have developed new frameworks and recommendations for managing neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction after spinal cord injury. These guidelines aim to improve independence, self-efficacy, and quality of life among individuals with spinal cord injuries.
A new clinical trial led by Keck Medicine of USC is investigating the effectiveness of Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Neuromodulation (TESCoN) in treating overactive bladder due to neurological conditions. The trial aims to improve patients' sense of well-being by enhancing bladder control and reducing symptoms.
A UBCO professor has developed an online platform to help people living with spinal cord injury lead a more active life. The new guideline provides clear and accessible information on the amount and type of activity needed to achieve health benefits, helping to overcome a major barrier to physical activity.
Researchers at University of Notre Dame have identified a strategy to support nerve regeneration after brachial plexus injury. The study found that chemotherapy treatment can help stabilize axon invasion, allowing severed sensory axons to penetrate the spinal cord barrier.
Researchers have identified a potential new treatment for chronic pain caused by burns, targeting PAK1 molecule. The discovery of Romidepsin, an existing cancer drug, provides a promising avenue for re-purposing to treat long-lasting complications.
A novel therapeutic target for promoting neuroprotection has been identified in the lumbar circuit below a spinal cord injury, suggesting potential hope for restoring motor function. The discovery uses animal models to show that neuromodulation of interrupted lumbar motor circuits with neurotrophic therapy improves locomotor performance.
Dr. Jeanne Zanca, a senior research scientist at Kessler Foundation, was named Fellow of the ACRM for her outstanding record of professional service and national significance in spinal cord injury rehabilitation research. Her work focuses on prevention and management of secondary complications of SCI.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have made a breakthrough in restoring lower-body function after severe spinal injuries using tiny spinal implants. The implants use hair-like electrical wires to trigger the networks that already know how to do the hard work, and have shown remarkable consistency across the animal spectrum.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the Salk Institute will explore how spinal networks control movement, developing new treatments for neurological diseases and spinal cord injuries. They aim to create a high-resolution atlas of mouse brain movements and develop testable models of neural interactions.
The study's innovative approach uses a multi-electrode interface to deliver variable targeted stimuli to the spinal cord, increasing the effectiveness of neurorehabilitation and potentially treating a wider range of individuals. The technology has also shown promise in diagnostics, allowing for the assessment of residual activity in th...
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a biomaterial that polymerizes estrogen to protect and potentially regenerate nervous system cells damaged by spinal cord injuries. The slow-releasing biomaterial targets injured tissue, reducing further damage and promoting regeneration.
A study by TTUHSC researchers suggests that activating certain brain receptors can reduce pain and anxiety associated with arthritis. The compound LY379268 has been shown to produce pain-relieving effects and relieve anxiety, offering potential as a new pain medication.
A team of researchers led by Brown University will develop and test an 'intelligent spinal interface' to help restore limb movement and bladder control for people with spinal cord injuries. The device aims to record signals from above the injury site and use them to drive electrical stimulation below the lesion.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a molecular process controlling nerve growth, which could inform therapies accelerating peripheral nerve recovery. The study shows that manipulating this process can increase nerve regeneration rate by 15% in mice.
Dr. Kristin L. Garlanger has been awarded the Ernest Bors, MD Award for Scientific Development by the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. Her research explores functional outcomes in patients with co-occurring traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury, shedding light on ways to tailor rehabilitation protocols to improve outcomes.
Researchers have identified a specialized pathway in the spinal cord that transmits mechanical itch signals to the brain. The study, published in Cell Reports, reveals that a specific population of neurons, known as Y1 spinal neurons, play a key role in transmitting these signals.
Researchers have designed a simple and efficient platform to discover new drugs treating spinal cord lesions using zebrafish, accelerating the translation period from discovery to clinics. The platform has identified a molecule with motor recovery properties in zebrafish larvae and showed efficacy in spinal cord injury models in rodents.
A new study has found that HIV can be detected in the central nervous system of patients on long-term antiretroviral therapy, linked to poorer cognitive performance. The discovery highlights the need to address viral mechanisms of cognitive decline in cART-treated patients.
Researchers have identified unique populations of neurons and associated cells in the spinal cords of patients with ALS, which could serve as useful biomarkers for earlier diagnosis. The study found different types of motor neurons and microglia present in less affected regions of patients with focal-onset ALS.
Scientists at NCATS and NIDCR report a new strategy to alleviate chronic itch by blocking a receptor found on spinal cord neurons. They identified approximately 1,400 compounds worth examining more closely, with 15 showing promise in halting both human and mouse versions of the receptor.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a copper compound that improves the condition of mice with damaged motor neurons, potentially slowing ALS progression. The study builds on previous findings and suggests a broader neuroprotective role for copper-ATSM beyond mutant SOD models of ALS.
Researchers discovered that overexpressing macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in mice with SOD1 mutations slows down disease progression and extends lifespan. MIF may play a potential therapeutic role in ALS treatment.
Kessler Foundation is launching groundbreaking research at its Center for Spinal Stimulation to explore two novel treatments: transcutaneous and epidural spinal stimulation. Preliminary studies show promising results in individuals with paralysis, enabling them to stand during stimulation and regain voluntary movement.
Researchers aim to identify cognitive deficits in individuals with spinal cord injury, enabling them to receive necessary care and achieve maximal independence. A multi-site study will develop and test an abbreviated cognitive screening tool using portions of well-regarded neuropsychological tests.
Neuronal feedback from sites below the spinal cord injury plays a crucial role in early recovery and maintaining regained motor functions. Incomplete injuries can recover spontaneously with activating specific sensory feedback pathways promoting detour circuits.
Researchers analyzed over 76,000 gene expression measurements from mouse and human spinal cord tissue samples to gain new insights into ALS progression. The study found that microglia exhibit dysfunction before symptom onset and that certain genes are expressed at higher levels in affected regions.
Researchers have created a new gene expression atlas for ALS, providing unparalleled detail on disease progression. The atlas uncovers early changes in the disease and reveals disease-driven changes in signaling pathways across all cell types in the central nervous system.
Researchers found that transplanting human bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells into mice with ALS-like symptoms improved motor function and slowed disease progression. The treatment repaired damage to the blood-spinal cord barrier, leading to increased motor neuron survival and reduced capillary leakage.
Researchers have created a tiny, flexible sensor that can capture the rapid spike in brain chemical glutamate after spinal cord injury or traumatic brain disease. The sensor, implanted on the spinal cord, helps study how these injuries and diseases develop.
Researchers have successfully transplanted adult spinal cord grafts into spinal cord transected rats to improve locomotor function, promoting the recovery of motor function and survival of neural cells.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that axons use a 'battering ram' approach to enter the spinal cord wall during early development, contradicting a widely-held hypothesis. This discovery could lead to new strategies for repairing brachial plexus injuries and regenerative therapies.
New research from Western University reveals that the spinal cord plays a crucial role in processing and controlling complex functions like hand positioning, challenging previous beliefs about its limitations. The study demonstrates that the spinal cord can generate responses to bumps, enabling precise hand control.
Scientists discover lampreys can fully regenerate their spinal cord even after two complete injuries, a phenomenon with potential implications for human spinal cord injury treatment. The study reveals that central nervous system regeneration in lampreys is resilient and robust after multiple injuries.
Researchers discovered that a muscle protein called LIM protein (MLP) can promote nerve healing by stabilizing structures in growth cones. Blocking or suppressing MLP's function reduces nerve cells' ability to grow axons.
A new study from Linköping University found that the brain reduces sensory perception when touched by oneself, and this difference arises as early as in the spinal cord. This phenomenon suggests that the brain attempts to predict sensory consequences of one's actions, assigning less importance to self-generated sensations.
Researchers discovered significant differences in neural processing between self-touch and touch from others at the cortical and spinal cord levels. This finding has implications for understanding perception and social behavior, highlighting the brain's unique response to self-produced versus external tactile input.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers found specific cognitive deficits in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), including information processing speed and verbal fluency impairments. These findings support the theory of accelerated brain aging after SCI, with implications for further research and targeted cognitive interventions.
Researchers created a 3D printed scaffold that mimicked natural anatomy and boosted stem cell-based treatment for spinal cord injuries. The implants supported tissue regrowth, stem cell survival, and axon outgrowth in rats, leading to significant functional motor improvement.
Research found that activation of microglia in the spinal cord is responsible for increased pain sensitivity in response to stress. Eliminating microglia from the spinal cord prevented these effects, highlighting their role in transmitting pain to the brain.
Researchers identified a suite of genes that must be turned off for axons to regenerate in peripheral nerves after injury. To regrow, neurons must transition back to an immature state and re-engage developmental programs. The study provides evidence for the idea that cells must become less mature to regenerate.
Three JAMA Pediatrics articles focus on acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a poorly understood condition causing muscle weakness and spinal cord lesions in children. The studies aim to better understand the cause, progression, biomarkers, prognosis, and treatment of AFM.
A breakthrough study has demonstrated that long-term effects of spinal cord trauma on breathing and limb function may be reversible. Rats treated with a new therapy regimen regained complete diaphragm and partial forelimb function, with full recovery maintained six months after treatment.
A new rehabilitation protocol combining targeted electrical stimulation and weight-assisted therapy enables paraplegics to walk again, even without stimulation. All three study participants regained voluntary control of leg muscles after just one week and maintained improvements for five months.
A study presented at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2018 found that dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation therapy significantly improves chronic back pain, with a median pain score decrease of 33% after follow-up. DRG stimulation disrupts pain signals by targeting specific nerves, avoiding unnecessary stimulation of nerve fibers from non-painful areas.
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.
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.
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.
Scientists at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have successfully created a line of spinal cord neural stem cells that can be used to model diseases and potentially provide a scalable source of replacement cells for spinal cord injuries. The diverse cells, derived from human pluripotent stem cells, show promise in a...
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.
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.