Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Arash Ghaffari-Rafi, Catherine Peterson, Jose E. Leon-Rojas, Nobuaki Tadokoro, Stefan F. Lange, Mayank Kaushal, Lindsay Tetreault, Michael G. Fehlings, Allan R. Martin
Summary: The use of MRI in the acute phase of spinal cord injury (SCI) remains controversial, but it has shown to be safe and frequently identifies findings that can change clinical management. While MRI is useful in pre- and post-surgical settings for SCI, further research is needed to determine its optimal timing and impact on outcomes.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Samineh Mesbah, Tyler Ball, Claudia Angeli, Enrico Rejc, Nicholas Dietz, Beatrice Ugiliweneza, Susan Harkema, Maxwell Boakye
Summary: The study found that in individuals with clinically motor complete spinal cord injury, the extent of recovery of lower limb voluntary movements with scES is significantly influenced by the percentage of lumbosacral enlargement coverage by the electrode array and the position of the electrode relative to the lumbosacral enlargement and conus tip.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Samineh Mesbah, Tyler Ball, Claudia Angeli, Enrico Rejc, Nicholas Dietz, Beatrice Ugiliweneza, Susan Harkema, Maxwell Boakye
Summary: The study showed that in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury, there was a significant correlation between the coverage rate of lumbosacral enlargement by the electrode array and the position of the electrode, and the number of joints moved during voluntary lower limb movements. However, there was no significant correlation between the cross-section area of the spinal cord at C3 or the length of severe myelomalacia and the ability to move the lower limbs voluntarily.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Naomi Yasuda, Yosuke Kuroda, Toshiro Ito, Masanori Sasaki, Shinichi Oka, Ryo Ukai, Keitaro Nakanishi, Takuma Mikami, Tsuyoshi Shibata, Ryo Harada, Shuichi Naraoka, Takeshi Kamada, Nobuyoshi Kawaharada
Summary: The study found that MRI plays an important role in evaluating ischemic spinal cord injury after cardiovascular surgery and aortic events, clearly showing the sites of infarction. MRI can help reveal etiology and analyze infarction patterns in different cases.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY
(2021)
Review
Biology
Omar Hussain, Mayank Kaushal, Nitin Agarwal, Shekar Kurpad, Saman Shabani
Summary: Traumatic spinal injuries have long-term negative impacts and can cause death. Timely diagnosis and proper management of mechanical instability and spinal cord injury are crucial for preventing further neurological deterioration. This review examines the role of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing, managing, and predicting the outcome of spinal cord injury, including advancements such as multidetector CT (MDCT), dual energy CT (DECT), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), diffusion tractography (DTI), functional MRI (fMRI), and perfusion MRI.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Roberta Costanzo, Lara Brunasso, Federica Paolini, Umberto Emanuele Benigno, Massimiliano Porzio, Giuseppe Roberto Giammalva, Rosa Maria Gerardi, Giuseppe Emmanuele Umana, Rina di Bonaventura, Carmelo Lucio Sturiale, Massimiliano Visocchi, Domenico Gerardo Iacopino, Rosario Maugeri
Summary: Magnetic resonance imaging is the most accurate examination to study the spinal cord, but diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can provide additional details about spinal cord lesions. This literature review investigated the role, limitations, and potential use of DTI as a prognostic tool in spinal cord injury (SCI). The findings suggest that DTI parameters have promising utility as noninvasive biomarkers for SCI grade evaluation.
WORLD NEUROSURGERY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Connor A. Wathen, Yohannes G. Ghenbot, Ali K. Ozturk, D. Kacy Cullen, John C. O'Donnell, Dmitriy Petrov
Summary: Large animal models, particularly porcine models, of spinal cord injury are valuable for translational research and evaluation of potential therapies. The anatomical and physiological similarities to humans allow for more representative models and accurate assessment of novel treatments, including biologics. Porcine models also facilitate the collection of physiological data in a clinical-like setting. This review provides an overview of porcine spinal cord injury research, including available models and outcome measures, as well as the strengths, limitations, and alternatives.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Seung-Yi Lee, Brian D. Schmit, Shekar N. Kurpad, Matthew D. Budde
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between early MRI biomarkers and long-term functional outcomes in cervical spinal cord injury. The extent of edema was found to be greater in bilateral injuries compared with unilateral injuries. Diffusion tensor imaging showed microscopic damage, while filtered diffusion-weighted imaging clearly delineated acute axonal damage. The extent of edema was most strongly correlated with motor functional outcomes.
JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Merrick C. Strotton, Andrew J. Bodey, Kazimir Wanelik, Carl Hobbs, Christoph Rau, Elizabeth J. Bradbury
Summary: Extensive structural changes occur within the spinal cord following traumatic injury, including acute tissue debris breakdown, chronic cavity formation, and scar development. 3D imaging offers advantages over 2D histology in accurately representing tissue pathology and quantifying the extent of damage.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Isabelle Riederer, Mark Muehlau, Claus Zimmer, Magaly Gutbrod-Fernandez, Nico Sollmann, Jan S. Kirschke
Summary: The study found that pre-contrast T1-w imaging does not significantly increase diagnostic confidence or detection rate of contrast-enhancing lesions in spinal cord MRI follow-up exams for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaogang Chen, Lin Zhang, Fu Hua, Yu Zhuang, Huan Liu, Shouguo Wang
Summary: The study revealed that EphA4 regulates astrocyte function in neuronal regeneration after spinal cord injury by binding with ephrin-B on the surface of astrocytes, affecting the secretion of neurotrophic factors, adhesion molecules, inflammatory factors, and glial scar formation, subsequently influencing neurite outgrowth and regeneration.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Fengzhao Zhu, Yulong Wang, Xiangchuang Kong, Yuan Liu, Lian Zeng, Xirui Jing, Sheng Yao, Kaifang Chen, Lian Yang, Xiaodong Guo
Summary: The combination of conventional MRI with DTI-DTT is a valid diagnostic approach for acute traumatic cervical SCI. Lower intramedullary lesion length and intramedullary hemorrhage length, and higher fractional anisotropy value and connection rates of fiber tractography are linked to better neurological outcomes.
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Bo-Ram Na, Hyoung-Yeon Seo
Summary: The study investigated the effect of surgical decompression for severe adult spinal cord injury without major bone injury, finding that intramedullary lesion length (IMLL) and compression rate have the most powerful effect on neurological outcome. Additionally, 5 out of 11 patients showed improved neurological grade one year postoperatively.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Dario Pfyffer, Patrick Freund
Summary: This review covers recent advances in identifying neuroimaging spinal cord biomarkers of lesion severity and remote pathology following traumatic spinal cord injury. These biomarkers show sensitivity to disease processes, improve injury characterization, and predict recovery, demonstrating their potential to complement clinical workup and serve as endpoints in clinical trials.
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sadayuki Ito, Hiroaki Nakashima, Naoki Segi, Jun Ouchida, Masahiro Oda, Ippei Yamauchi, Ryotaro Oishi, Yuichi Miyairi, Kensaku Mori, Shiro Imagama
Summary: An automated system using deep learning and MRI was developed for the detection and diagnosis of spinal schwannomas and meningiomas. The accuracy of object detection based on T1W, T2W, and T1W + T2W images was 84.8%, 90.3%, and 93.8% respectively. The accuracy of diagnosis based on T1W, T2W, and T1W + T2W images was 76.4%, 83.3%, and 84.1% respectively. The developed method showed potential in supporting radiological diagnosis, reducing the workload of radiologists.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Critical Care Medicine
Ellen R. Gillespie, Marc J. Ruitenberg
Summary: Traumatic spinal cord injury leads to a complex inflammatory response, and immunomodulatory agent IVIG shows promise in treating such neurotraumatic events.
JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Abi G. Yates, Trisha Jogia, Ellen R. Gillespie, Yvonne Couch, Marc J. Ruitenberg, Daniel C. Anthony
Summary: The study found that exogenous administration of IL-1RA can attenuate the acute phase response (APR) in traumatic spinal cord injury, reducing immune cell infiltration at the spinal cord lesion site.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Samuel B. R. Harley, Emily F. Willis, Samreen N. Shaikh, Daniel G. Blackmore, Pankaj Sah, Marc J. Ruitenberg, Perry F. Bartlett, Jana Vukovic
Summary: Selective removal of BDNF from microglia increases production of newborn neurons and interferes with self-renewal, reducing overall density. Microglial BDNF is identified as an important factor regulating microglial population dynamics and states, influencing neurogenesis under both homeostatic and pathologic conditions.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen-Sung Chung, Nyoman D. Kurniawan, N. Justin Marshall
Summary: This study compares the neuroanatomy of diurnal and nocturnal coastal and deep-sea octopods, revealing that their habits and habitats are linked to characteristic changes in brain structure. The differences between solitary and social life are reflected in the formation of multiple compartments in the vertical lobe, resembling the cortex of vertebrates.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xiaoqing Alice Zhou, Daniel G. Blackmore, Junjie Zhuo, Fatima A. Nasrallah, XuanVinh To, Nyoman D. Kurniawan, Alison Carlisle, King-Year Vien, Kai-Hsiang Chuang, Tianzi Jiang, Perry F. Bartlett
Summary: The improvement in hippocampal-based learning in aged mice following physical exercise is due to enhanced DG connectivity, particularly the strengthening of specific connections, and is dependent on neurogenesis. These changes in circuitry are crucial for the cognitive improvements resulting from physical activity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luyao Sun, Wendong Gao, Jingjing Wang, Xueming Niu, Nyoman Kurniawan, Li Li, Zhi Ping Xu
Summary: This study presents a new type of sono-chemo sensitizer based on a manganese (Mn)-layered double hydroxide-based defect-rich nanoplatform. This nanoplatform efficiently triggers reactive oxygen species generation for enhanced sono/chemo-dynamic therapy. It also relieves tumor hypoxia and produces augmented singlet oxygen by catalyzing endogenous H2O2. Additionally, the released Mn2+ ions and immune-modulating agent intensify immune activation and reverse the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Overall, this nanoplatform demonstrates excellent anti-tumor efficacy and provides a new strategy for synergistic combination cancer therapy by functionalizing nanoparticles as sono-chemo sensitizers.
Article
Neuroimaging
Nien-Chu Shih, Nyoman D. Kurniawan, Ryan P. Cabeen, Laura Korobkova, Ellen Wong, Helena C. Chui, Kristi A. Clark, Carol A. Miller, Debra Hawes, Kymry T. Jones, Farshid Sepehrband
Summary: In this study, ex vivo multi-parameter quantitative MRI measures were acquired in human specimens using a 16.4 Tesla scanner. Correlation analyses with histological measurements revealed significant correlations between the quantitative MRI measures and neurofilament and phosphorylated Tau density, indicating sensitivity to layer-specific changes in the dentate gyrus of Alzheimer's disease tissues.
NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wen-Sung Chung, Alejandra Lopez-Galan, Nyoman D. Kurniawan, N. Justin Marshall
Summary: This study provides the first detailed description of the neuroanatomical features of a tropical and diurnal cuttlefish and investigates ontogenetic changes in its visual and learning centers. Comparisons with other cuttlefish species are made to construct a connectivity map of the cuttlefish brain. The findings reveal brain anatomy differences and previously unknown neural connections associated with camouflage, motor control, and chemosensory function.
Article
Immunology
Emily F. Willis, Ellen R. Gillespie, Kirsten Guse, Adrian W. Zuercher, Fabian Kasermann, Marc J. Ruitenberg, Jana Vukovic
Summary: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy shows promising results in attenuating cognitive deficits and reducing brain tissue loss in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This therapy increases neuronal survival, preserves neural connectivity, and requires the presence of the inhibitory Fc gamma RIIB receptor. These findings highlight the potential of IVIG as an immune-modulatory treatment for neurotrauma.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Artur Shvetcov, Marc J. Ruitenberg, Fabien Delerue, Wendy A. Gold, David A. Brown, Caitlin A. Finney
Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to the damage of the spinal cord caused by either trauma or disease. SCI is characterized by various injury phases that affect the transmission of sensory and motor signals, resulting in temporary or long-term functional deficits. Estrogens and estrogenic compounds have been shown to effectively alleviate the effects of SCI, making them potential treatment options.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Abdullah A. A. Althobity, Nemat Khan, Cheyenne J. J. Sandrock, Trent M. M. Woodruff, Gary J. J. Cowin, Ian M. M. Brereton, Nyoman D. D. Kurniawan
Summary: In this study, pathological changes in the lumbar spinal cord of EAE mice were investigated using 9.4-T MRI. Changes in MRI biomarker signatures were identified that can be useful in evaluating the efficacy of novel drugs using EAE models in vivo.
NMR IN BIOMEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Neurosciences
Fatima Nasrallah, Nyoman D. Kurniawan
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Xuan Vinh To, Nyoman D. Kurniawan, Paul Cumming, Fatima A. Nasrallah
Summary: In this study, the researchers compared in vivo and ex vivo imaging measures in a mouse model of concussion. The results showed poor agreement between the two methods in assessing the structural integrity of the brain affected by concussion. Furthermore, the comparison revealed completely opposite and contradictory results between in vivo and ex vivo imaging, highlighting the need for caution when extrapolating ex vivo imaging findings to physiological measurements in vivo.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Kylie A. Alexander, Hsu-Wen Tseng, Irina Kulina, Whitney Fleming, Cedryck Vaquette, Francois Genet, Marc J. Ruitenberg, Jean-Pierre Levesque
Summary: This study found that functional T and B lymphocytes have minimal influence or dispensable contributions to the development of neurogenic heterotopic ossifications (NHO) after experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice.
NEUROTRAUMA REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Abdullah Asiri, Franky Dimpudus, Nicole Atcheson, Aiman Al-Najjar, Katie McMahon, Nyoman D. Kurniawan
Summary: This study compared the performance of 2D and 3D MEDIC sequences in imaging the human cervical spinal cord. Quantitative evaluation showed that 3D MEDIC provided higher SNR, CNR, and lower NU, while 2D MEDIC provided better anatomical visibility and image clarity for GM, WM, and CSF.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES
(2021)
