Articles tagged with Spinal Cord
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.
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 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 intraoperative neuromonitoring procedure was tested in 71 patients to prevent bone screws from damaging the spinal cord. The results showed that this method can accurately detect and avoid malpositioned pedicle screws, reducing the risk of postoperative neurological impairment.
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.
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center successfully generate new neurons from adult astrocytes in mice, offering hope for repairing traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage. The two-step approach uses a transcription factor to reprogram scar-forming astrocytes into neurons, which then mature and persist for months.
The UCLA research team aims to restore patients' independence by returning their ability to type on a keyboard, open doors and transfer themselves between their bed and wheelchair. The most promising therapy uses electrical impulses to stimulate dormant pathways within the spinal cord.
A team of scientists at the University of Basel has elucidated a second information pathway taken by motor commands, revealing a complex network of communication between the spinal cord and brain. This dual information stream enables precise control of fine motor behavior, such as arm and hand movements.
Researchers at Duke University found that long-term spinal cord stimulation improved symptoms of Parkinson's-like disease in rats, protecting critical neurons and promoting better survival. The treatment may offer a new option for managing the condition.
Chronic pain affects an estimated 20-25% of the population worldwide and is caused by various factors such as nerve injuries and osteoarthritis. Researchers found that serotonin release from the brain stem into the spinal cord activates TRPV1, making it hyperactive in injured V2 and uninjured V3 branches.
Researchers have discovered intricate neural networks in zebrafish that could help explain how humans developed limb control. The study found separate circuits for controlling the left and right sides of the body, which may be a precursor to human arm and leg movements.
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.
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to bridge the glial scar following chronic spinal cord injury using self-donated Schwann cells. This breakthrough enables regenerated and elongated brainstem axons to cross the bridge, potentially leading to improved hind limb movement in rats with spinal cord injury.
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.
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 analyzed 36 cases of inflammatory demyelinating pseudotumor in the spinal cord, finding that patchy reinforcement on MRI and inflammatory cell infiltration are key features. The study aims to reduce misdiagnosis rate and improve patient quality of life by providing accurate imaging and clinical properties.
The lab of Dr. John Martin at City College of New York has received $3.7 million for studies on movement control and recovery after brain or spinal injury. The research aims to repair damaged nervous systems and develop therapies for humans with mobility impairments.
Researchers at U-M Health System have begun a Phase II clinical trial using stem cells to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating disease affecting nerve cells. The trial, approved by the FDA and funded by Neuralstem Inc., aims to assess the safety and potential effects of injected stem cells on motor neurons.
Tel Aviv University researchers discover that compounds found in marijuana can prevent inflammation in the brain and spinal cord, which is a hallmark of multiple sclerosis. The study uses mice with MS-like symptoms to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD and THC.
A multi-centre clinical trial has shown that decompression surgery is effective in treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), a degenerative disease that can lead to paralysis. The study found significant recovery in patients with mild, moderate and severe CSM, with improvements in functional, disability and quality of life measures.
Researchers found that stress-related proteins were induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury, exhibiting a protective effect on neurons. Heat shock cognate protein 70 expression was also detectable in glial cell and Schwann cell nuclei after the injury.
Researchers have found that electroacupuncture treatment can improve visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by reducing P2X4 receptor immunoreactivity in the colon and spinal cord. This study provides medical support for the central mechanisms underlying electroacupuncture treatment.
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 found that basic fibroblast growth factor protects the spinal cord by reducing calcitonin gene-related peptide and acetylcholinesterase expression in damaged motor neurons. This suggests a potential therapeutic application for treating spinal cord injuries.
Researchers used PET scans to identify hypermetabolism in the spine, indicating a potentially reversible phase of degenerative cervical myelopathy. Patients with this marker showed significant improvement after decompressive surgery, while those without exhibited no change.
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.
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...
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 discovered a regenerative process involving damaged nerve fibers in the spinal cord that can improve functional recovery after stroke. The study found significant improvement in voluntary movement in mice whose axons were not severed, suggesting potential treatment targets for enhancing neurological recovery.
Researchers at Northwestern University have isolated and labeled motor neurons in the brain that die in ALS, allowing for the study of disease progression. The discovery paves the way for identifying potential treatments for the devastating neurodegenerative disease.
Researchers developed two innovative techniques to minimize lead migration and anchor site pain in spinal cord stimulators. Advanced anchoring and multiple lead placement through a single port reduced complications and improved patient outcomes.
A novel artificial neural connection bridges the lost pathway between brain and spinal cord, allowing for volitional control of upper limb movement after damage. This study demonstrates that artificial neural connections can compensate for interrupted descending pathways and promote voluntary control.
Researchers developed a new device called Human Spinal Cord Modulation System (HSCMS) to deliver therapeutic stimulation in a more targeted way. The device is designed to be in direct contact with the spinal cord, providing improved pain relief for patients with chronic pain.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have created a new anatomically-based classification for diagnosing cervical spinal stenosis, which helps identify patients requiring urgent surgical intervention. The study found that patients with higher grades of stenosis were more likely to receive spinal decompression recommendations.
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...
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 at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered that a specific protein helps nerve cells extend themselves along the spinal cord during mammalian development. The protein, dystroglycan, acts as a hub for instructional molecules that guide nerve axons as they grow.
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.
Rodal's lab aims to understand the interplay between neuronal firing and growth factor transport in neurons, with potential applications for ALS and Alzheimer's treatments. She will use a fruit fly model system to study the relationship between electrical activity and receptor trafficking.
Researchers identified a mutation in the DMRT3 gene, crucial for ambling gaits, pacing and high-speed trotting in horses. In mice, this gene reveals fundamental knowledge about neural circuits controlling leg movements.
Researchers found that spinal cord stimulation improves left ventricular contractile function in pigs with ischemic heart failure. Continuous spinal cord stimulation was associated with significant reduction of serum norepinephrine and brain natriuretic peptide compared to medical therapy alone.
A recent study found that an inflammatory monocyte population plays a key role in ALS progression, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target. Monocyte depletion reduced cellular recruitment to the spinal cord, decreased CNS cell death, and extended survival time in mice with ALS.
Researchers discovered a protein that promotes the adoption of bipolar glial shape in zebrafish, encouraging nerve regeneration and potentially offering a new therapeutic target. The findings suggest an alternative approach to scar tissue formation, which is a major barrier to spinal cord repair in mammals.
Researchers found that a diet enriched with DHA and curcumin preserved walking ability in rats with spinal-cord injury, while a Western diet caused measurable walking problems. The study suggests that dietary supplements may help repair nerve cells and maintain neurological function after degenerative damage to the neck.
Researchers found that a diet enriched with DHA and curcumin can protect the injured spinal cord and minimize clinical and biochemical effects of myelopathy in rats. The combination reduces inflammation, provides structural material to plasma membranes, and produces strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
A new study reveals the immune system and inflammation may play a significant role in Lou Gehrig's disease, specifically targeting motor neurons for clean-up by macrophages. Resolvin D1, an omega-3 fatty acid derivative, was found to curb inflammation and block harmful proteins, offering a potential new approach to treating ALS.
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.
The University of Louisville has received a $6.3 million grant to develop technology to help paralyzed people regain movement in their limbs, with the goal of improving quality of life. Researchers aim to advance research and treatment options for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Researchers have successfully transplanted embryonic cells into adult mouse spinal cords to alleviate persistent pain. The study suggests that this approach may not only treat symptoms but also correct underlying disease pathology. This new therapy offers hope for patients with neuropathic pain, a condition with limited treatment options.
Researchers found that mental distractions, especially those requiring cognitive effort, reduce pain perception by inhibiting early spinal cord responses to painful stimuli. This effect is mediated by endogenous opioids, naturally produced by the brain.
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.
The Phase I trial of Neuralstem's spinal cord stem cells found one patient showed improvement in clinical status, while the treatment was safe and tolerable for all 12 patients. The trial has been approved to proceed with cervical transplantations targeting motor neurons that control respiratory function.
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 team of scientists has identified a key player in the amplification of pain signals in the spinal cord, which could lead to the development of novel treatments for chronic pain. By removing an enzyme called PKG-1 from pain-sensing nerves, researchers found that LTP was abolished and pain-related memory and behavior were also altered.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends monitoring the spinal cord during spinal surgery and certain chest surgeries to prevent paralysis. Intraoperative monitoring can alert surgeons to potential problems before damage occurs, reducing the risk of complications.
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.
Researchers found changes in motor cortex of the brain in patients with spinal cord compression, which may impact surgical procedures and patient outcomes. The study also identified a 15% decrease in N-acetylaspartate levels, suggesting potential implications for reversibility and treatment.