Review
Neurosciences
Giuliano Taccola, Ronaldo M. Ichiyama, V. Reggie Edgerton, Parag Gad
Summary: This review discusses the physiological states of spinal networks, highlighting the stochastic modulation by changing ensembles of proprioceptive and supraspinal input. Spinal epidural interfaces offer a platform for studying spinal network dynamics post-injury. Low-frequency epidural pulses can evoke motor responses with oscillatory patterns. The neural variability among spinal networks is seen as a fundamental mechanism of network design rather than noise interfering with movement control.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ajay Pal, HongGeun Park, Aditya Ramamurthy, Ahmet S. Asan, Thelma Bethea, Meenu Johnkutty, Jason B. Carmel
Summary: In this study, the researchers developed a plasticity protocol in rats that aims to activate both sensory and motor connections in the spinal cord. They found that repeated application of this protocol in rats with spinal cord injury improved their forelimb dexterity and reduced hyperreflexia. This study shows the importance of targeting the sensory and motor systems in the spinal cord for promoting recovery after spinal cord injury.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Curtis A. Benson, Kai-Lan Olson, Siraj Patwa, Marike L. Reimer, Lakshmi Bangalore, Myriam Hill, Stephen G. Waxman, Andrew M. Tan
Summary: Research using viral intervention techniques in mice after spinal cord injury found that knocking out Rac1 protein can restore dendritic spine development and reduce H-reflex excitability, thereby reversing spasticity. This indicates a potential mechanistic relationship between abnormal motor neuron dendritic spines and spasticity induced by SCI.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Latoya L. Allen, Nicole L. Nichols, Zachary A. Asa, Anna T. Emery, Marissa C. Ciesla, Juliet V. Santiago, Ashley E. Holland, Gordon S. Mitchell, Elisa J. Gonzalez-Rothi
Summary: The study tested the hypothesis that C2 spinal hemisection (C2Hx) minimally impacts phrenic motor neuron (PMN) survival and found no evidence of PMN loss at 2- or 8-weeks post-C2Hx. This insight is crucial for studying strategies for inducing plasticity and/or regeneration within the phrenic motor system after high cervical injury.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Soshi Samejima, Richard Henderson, Jared Pradarelli, Sarah E. Mondello, Chet T. Moritz
Summary: Spinal cord injuries often result in permanent physical impairments despite being incomplete disruptions. However, remaining connections between the brain and spinal cord can induce neural plasticity to improve sensorimotor function, even years post-injury. This review provides an overview of evidence for motor recovery, plasticity, and interventions in spinal cord stimulation for motor control restoration. It discusses both open-loop and closed-loop stimulation approaches, as well as mechanisms of spinal cord neuromodulation for sensorimotor recovery, aiming to advance rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jonathan S. Calvert, Megan L. Gill, Margaux B. Linde, Daniel D. Veith, Andrew R. Thoreson, Cesar Lopez, Kendall H. Lee, Yury P. Gerasimenko, Victor R. Edgerton, Igor A. Lavrov, Kristin D. Zhao, Peter J. Grahn, Dimitry G. Sayenko
Summary: Transcutaneous and epidural spinal stimulation have shown promising results in restoring motor function in individuals with spinal cord injury, with differences observed in how different types of SCI patients respond to stimulation.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jaclyn R. Wecht, William M. Savage, Grace O. Famodimu, Gregory A. Mendez, Jonah M. Levine, Matthew T. Maher, Joseph P. Weir, Jill M. Wecht, Jason B. Carmel, Yu-Kuang Wu, Noam Y. Harel
Summary: The study found that subthreshold TSCS can facilitate hand muscle responses to motor cortex stimulation, especially when the TSCS arrives simultaneously or slightly after the cortical stimulation, indicating the potential for enhanced synaptic plasticity in circuits serving hand function.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Carla. S. S. Sousa, Rui Lima, Jorge. R. R. Cibrao, Eduardo. D. D. Gomes, Luis S. Fernandes, Tiffany. S. S. Pinho, Deolinda Silva, Jonas Campos, Antonio J. Salgado, Nuno. A. A. Silva
Summary: The inability of axons to regenerate after spinal cord injury is a major challenge in neuroscience. A phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, Roflumilast, was evaluated in a rat model of thoracic contusion injury and found to promote functional recovery and neuroregeneration.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jian Zhao, Ailang Pang, Saige Yin, Meifeng Yang, Xuemei Zhang, Rong Zhang, Jingfei Liu, Yuanqi Gu, Shanshan Li, Yan Hu, Yue Zhang, Yingchun Ba, Buliang Meng, Xinwang Yang
Summary: OM-LV20 promotes structural and functional recovery of spinal cord injury by increasing neuronal survival, enhancing BDNF and TrkB expression, and regulating oxidative stress balance.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xinlian Zhao, Lulu Jin, Zhixin Zhu, Haohao Lu, Haifei Shi, Qi Zhong, Joaquim Miguel Oliveira, Rui L. Reis, Changyou Gao, Zhengwei Mao
Summary: A bifunctional microgel was designed for delivering GVIA to reduce excitotoxicity in spinal cord injury, showing excellent neuroprotective effects in vitro and promising therapeutic effects in vivo.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Qiong Zhang, Mingfu Liu, Haibin Nong, Yanan Zhang, Yiguang Bai, Pan Liu, Shaohui Zong, Gaofeng Zeng
Summary: TFHL has shown to improve motor function recovery and promote spinal cord tissue repair in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). It reduces apoptosis and improves the functional status of neurons. TFHL also improves cell morphology, microstructure, and axonal regeneration of damaged spinal motor neurons, and promotes the secretion of neurotrophic factors. Furthermore, TFHL promotes autophagy and related protein expression both in vivo and in vitro.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhou Feng, Lingxia Min, Hui Chen, Weiwei Deng, Mingliang Tan, Hongliang Liu, Jingming Hou
Summary: The study demonstrated that activated microglia in the motor cortex induced iron overload after SCI, triggering motor neuronal ferroptosis and impeding motor functional recovery. Iron chelator and inhibitors could reduce iron overload-induced neuronal death, potentially offering novel therapeutic strategies for SCI.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Feng Lin, Yixuan Liu, Wenqi Luo, Shuhan Liu, Yiming Wang, Rui Gu, Wanguo Liu, Chunsheng Xiao
Summary: This study describes the design, synthesis, release kinetics, biosafety, and preclinical efficacy of MC-PαLA-MP NPs for the combined anti-inflammatory treatment of TSCI. The NPs showed the ability to mitigate secondary inflammation and preserve motor function following TSCI, suggesting their potential for clinical application.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NANOMEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ciara M. Walsh, Khadija Gull, Dearbhaile Dooley
Summary: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) has a significant impact on motor, sensory and autonomic function in patients. Despite the lack of a curative therapy, modulation of the inflammatory response through motor rehabilitation can improve recovery in SCI models. This review discusses the effect of motor rehabilitation on inflammatory mediators in both preclinical and human SCI studies and highlights the potential of using motor rehabilitation as an immunomodulatory therapy to improve patient outcome after SCI.
CYTOKINE & GROWTH FACTOR REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katarzyna Leszczynska, Juliusz Huber
Summary: This study investigates the relationships between different levels and degrees of incomplete spinal cord injury evaluated with MRI and the results of non-invasive electromyography, motor-evoked potentials, and electroneurography. The study reveals the complex interplay between neural pathways and functional outcomes in patients with spinal cord injury.