Article
Immunology
Emma Schmidt, Pamela Raposo, Romana Vavrek, Karim Fouad
Summary: Inflammation can enhance neuronal sprouting and recovery in rats following spinal cord injury, and systemic lipopolysaccharide treatment in the subacute stage can improve the recovery of the ipsilesional forelimb.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Samantha Lincoln, Leslie R. Morse, Karen Troy, Nicole Mattson, Nguyen Nguyen, Ricardo A. A. Battaglino
Summary: Spinal cord injury often leads to osteoporosis, increasing the risk of osteoporotic fractures. This study identified a microRNA, miR-148a-3p, which is associated with osteoporosis following spinal cord injury. MiR-148a-3p was upregulated in acute SCI patients and negatively correlated with bone marrow adiposity. The findings suggest that miR-148a-3p may play a mediating role in osteoporosis following spinal cord injury and could be a potential therapeutic target.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Katherine Locke, Margo Randelman, Daniel Hoh, Lyandysha Zholudeva, Michael Lane
Summary: This review focuses on the study of respiratory plasticity in animal models, aiming to shed light on preclinical work that can influence future clinical investigations and treatments for spinal cord injury. Despite extensive research in animal models, relatively few treatments have made it through to clinical application.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Jonathan S. Theros, Katelyn B. Zumpf, Tara Lagu, Saieesh Rao, Brian J. Nasca, Allen W. Heinemann, Michael B. Shapiro, Karl Y. Bilimoria, Anne M. Stey
Summary: Post-acute care following SCI or TBI has a significant impact on neurological function recovery. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) show better outcomes and lower mortality rates compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). This study explores the access to inpatient rehabilitation based on insurance and estimates the associated costs.
JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Md Akhlasur Rahman, Niraj Singh Tharu, Sylvia M. Gustin, Yong-Ping Zheng, Monzurul Alam
Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating injury with severe complications, but recent development of noninvasive electrical neuromodulation treatments offers hope for rehabilitation. Trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) and trans-spinal pulsed current stimulation (tsPCS) have shown promising results in improving sensorimotor and autonomic functions.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Elnaz Nakhjiri, Shaqayeq Roqanian, Hamid Soltani Zangbar, Manuchehr Seyedi Vafaee, Daryoush Mohammadnejad, Shahin Ahmadian, Selva Zamanzadeh, Ehsan Ehsani, Parviz Shahabi, Koorosh Shahpasand
Summary: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to the development of brain tau pathology and brain dysfunction. Our study on severe SCI mouse models revealed a progressive increase in tau pathology in the spinal cord and brain areas, resulting in motor dysfunction, memory impairment, and abnormal risk-taking behavior. Immunotherapy with an anti-cis P-tau antibody successfully restored the pathological and functional consequences of SCI.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Andrew M. Round, Min Cheol Joo, Carolyn M. Barakso, Nader Fallah, Vanessa K. Noonan, Andrei V. Krassioukov
Summary: The study investigated the correlation between bowel dysfunction and the use of laxatives and opioids in acute rehabilitation following SCI. Results showed that an increase in laxative use correlated with a higher frequency of fecal incontinence, while opioids had a constipating effect on bowel movements.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
R. Vivian Allahyari, Nicolette M. Heinsinger, Daniel Hwang, David A. Jaffe, Javad Rasouli, Stephanie Shiers, Samantha J. Thomas, Theodore J. Price, Abdolmohamad Rostami, Angelo C. Lepore
Summary: This study investigates the astrocyte heterogeneity in the spinal cord and its potential role in synaptic generation. The results suggest that the distribution of astrocyte subpopulations and the expression of synapse formation-associated genes did not change significantly after spinal cord injury in mice. These findings indicate a possible conservation of spinal cord astrocyte heterogeneity across species.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hatice Kumru, Loreto Garcia-Alen, Aina Ros-Alsina, Sergiu Albu, Margarita Valles, Joan Vidal
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) could improve respiratory function in individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI). The results showed that subjects who received tSCS combined with inspiratory muscle training (IMT) experienced significant improvements in breathlessness/dyspnea, hypophonia, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), and forced vital capacity. Therefore, tSCS may serve as an effective adjunctive therapy for respiratory impairments following SCI.
Article
Rehabilitation
Elham Mahmoudi, Paul Lin, Mark D. Peterson, Michelle A. Meade, Denise G. Tate, Neil Kamdar
Summary: Middle-aged and older adults with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer disease and related dementia (ADRD). Improved clinical screening and early interventions to preserve cognitive function are crucial for this patient population.
ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
(2021)
Review
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Francisco Javier Rodriguez-Jimenez, Pavla Jendelova, Slaven Erceg
Summary: Ependymal cells, dormant progenitors in the spinal cord, undergo significant changes following spinal cord injury (SCI). The understanding of molecular events that activate ependymal cells after SCI is crucial for controlling the regenerative response in damaged tissues. This review focuses on cell adhesion molecules, cellular membrane receptors, ion channels, and transcription factors that mediate SCI-induced activation of ependymal cells. The coordinated expression of receptors and ion channels regulates ependymal cell activation and may contribute to cellular replacement and tissue regeneration after SCI.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Cristina Shea, Chloe Slocum, Richard Goldstein, Mary Joan Roach, Russell Griffin, Yuying Chen, Ross Zafonte
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether initial emergency department physiological measures and trauma severity predict functional outcomes and neurologic recovery in traumatic spinal cord injury. The results showed that emergency department physiological parameters did not predict functional outcomes in this cohort.
ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Review
Pediatrics
Natalia S. C. Cunha, Anahita Malvea, Sarah Sadat, George M. Ibrahim, Michael G. Fehlings
Summary: This review provides a concise overview of key aspects related to spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in children. It covers the etiology, epidemiology, unique challenges, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, multidisciplinary management, emerging research, and innovative therapies of pediatric SCIs. The need for continued advancements in understanding and treating SCIs in children to improve their functional independence and overall quality of life is emphasized.
Article
Immunology
Weiyi Zhao, Natalie Gasterich, Tim Clarner, Clara Voelz, Victoria Behrens, Cordian Beyer, Athanassios Fragoulis, Adib Zendedel
Summary: This study suggests that activation of Nrf2 in astrocytes protects against spinal cord injury by reducing oxidative damage and neuroinflammation.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2022)
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)