Exploring the exogenous and endogenous effects of melatonin on spinal cord injury

List of abbreviations COX cyclooxygenase GSH glutathione IL-1α interleukin-1α IL-1β interleukin-1β iNOS inducible nitric oxide synthase L/D light/dark L/L light/light LPO lipid peroxidation MDA malondialdehyde MT melatonin NF-κB nuclear factor-κB NG-2 neuron/glial antigen 2 SCI spinal cord injury SOD superoxide dismutase TBI traumatic brain injury TNF-α tumor necrosis factor-α Introduction Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic incident with a global mortality rate ranging from 4.4%…

Mitochondrial biogenesis for the treatment of spinal cord injury

Abbreviations 5-HTR 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 7,8-DHF dihydroxyflavone Ac acetyl group AICAR 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide Akt protein kinase B AMPK adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase AP-1 activating protein 1 ATP adenosine triphosphate BSCB blood–spinal cord barrier cGMP cyclic guanosine monophosphate CNS central nervous system CO carbon monoxide cyt c cytochrome c DEX dexmedetomidine DRP1 dynamin-related protein 1 EAAT excitatory amino acid transporter eNOS endothelial nitric oxide synthase ETC electron transport chain…

Anti-repulsive guidance molecule: An antibody treatment in spinal cord injury

Abbreviations BBB blood brain barrier BMP bone morphogenetic protein CNS central nervous system CST corticospinal tract DCC deleted in colorectal cancer GPI glycosylphosphatidylinositol MCAO middle cerebral artery occlusion MPTP 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine MS multiple sclerosis NMO neuromyelitis optica PD Parkinson’s disease RGC retinal ganglion cell RGM repulsive guidance molecule Rho GEF Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor SCI spinal cord injury SN substantia nigra TBI traumatic brain injury UEMS…

Phenol neurolysis for spasticity management in people with spinal cord injury

Abbreviations BCR brachioradialis BUE bilateral upper extremity EMG electromyography FCR flexor carpi radialis FCU flexor carpi ulnaris FDP flexor digitorum profundus FDS flexor digitorum superficialis ITB intrathecal baclofen OT occupational therapists PT physical therapists PWC power wheelchair ROM range of motion SCI spinal cord injury Introduction Spasticity is one of the most common secondary complications following a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). After SCI,…

Chondroitinase ABC I as a novel candidate for reducing damage in spinal cord injury

Abbreviations cABC I chondroitinase ABC I CNS central nervous system CS chondroitin sulfate CSPG chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan CSPGs chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans DS dermatan sulfate DSPG dermatan sulfate proteoglycan ECM extracellular matrix GAGs glycosaminoglycans GBM glioblastoma HA hyaluronic acid Hep heparin HepS heparan sulfate HS heparin sulfate KS keratan sulfate PEG polyethylene glycol (PEG) SCI spinal cord injury Molecular perspectives Glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans Extracellular matrices (ECMs) and…

GEMINI-supported spinal cord transplantation for the treatment of chronic spinal paralysis: Overview and initial clinical translation

Introduction There is at present no biological cure for chronic paralysis following spinal cord injury (SCI). A medley of experimental approaches have been tried over the years, and, despite some improvement in some patients, no full recovery has been observed ( ). As underscored by Illis, “it would be difficult to find any other branch of science with over a century of such sterile endeavour. In…

Nerve and tendon transfers in tetraplegia: A new narrative

List of abbreviations SCI spinal cord injury ICSHT international classification of surgery for the hand in tetraplegia PIN posterior interosseous nerve AIN anterior interosseous nerve ECRL extensor carpi radialis longus ECRB extensor carpi radialis brevis BR brachioradialis FDS flexor digitorum superficialis FDP flexor digitorum profundus FLP flexor pollicis longus EPL extensor pollicis longus ECD extensor communis digitorum PT pronator teres CMC carpometacarpal IP interphalangeal EPI extensor…

Bed support surfaces for preventing pressure injuries after spinal cord injury

List of abbreviations NPIAP National pressure injury advisory panel PI Pressure injury SCI Spinal cord injury Introduction After a spinal cord injury (SCI), individuals often remain with limitations that will impede mobility and functional independence. Presence and severity of the neurological deficits associated with SCI represent important risks for developing pressure injuries (PI). During hospitalization, pain, associated injuries, medical complications, spasticity, joint contractures, and surgical interventions…

Management of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction due to spinal cord injury

Abbreviations AC augmentation cystoplasty AD autonomic dysreflexia AUS artificial urinary sphincter BNR bladder neck reconstruction BNS bladder neck sling BOO bladder outlet obstruction BoNT-A type A botulinum toxin CIC clean intermittent catheterization DO detrusor overactivity DSD detrusor sphincter dyssynergia DU detrusor underactivity FVC frequency volume chart HCC hydrophilic-coated catheter LUT lower urinary tract NLUTD neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction PAG periaqueductal gray PMC pontine micturition center…

Bowel dysfunction in spinal cord injury

Abbreviations AD autonomic dysreflexia BC bowel care CTT colonic transit time NBD neurogenic bowel dysfunction DRF digital removal of feces DRS digital rectal stimulation EAS external anal sphincter ENS enteric nervous system LMN lower motor neuron NB neurogenic bowel SARS sacral anterior root stimulation SC spinal cord SCI spinal cord injury UMN upper motor neuron Introduction Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in loss of motor, sensory…

Treating spinal cord injury with implanted spinal cord stimulators

Abbreviations AIS American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale CRPS complex regional pain syndrome EES epidural electrical stimulation EMG electromyography FBSS failed back surgery syndrome IPG implantable pulse generator MRI magnetic resonance imaging SCI spinal cord injury SCS spinal cord stimulation SCSr spinal cord stimulator Introduction Spinal cord injury Spinal cord injury (SCI), which literally means damage to the spinal cord, is a devastating and debilitating neurological…

Spinal cord epidural stimulation for autonomic nervous system control: A focus on improving bladder, bowel, and cardiovascular function

List of abbreviations AD autonomic dysreflexia AIS American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale FDA Food and Drug Administration IDE Investigational Device Exemption L lumbar (referring to spinal cord level) scES spinal cord epidural stimulation SCI spinal cord injury T thoracic (referring to spinal cord level) S sacral (referring to spinal cord level) Introduction Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects nearly 2 million people in the United States…

Surgical management of acute spinal cord injury in emergency setting

List of abbreviations AIS ASIA Impairment Scale ASIA score American Spinal Injury Association score CCS Central Cord Syndrome CES Cauda Equina Syndrome CMS Conus Medullary Syndrome CRHSCIR Canadian Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry CSM cervical spondylotic myelopathy ESD early surgical decompression NACTN North American Clinical Trials Network for SCI SCI spinal cord injury SCIM spinal cord independence measure SD surgical decompression SDSF surgical decompression and…

Assessment of postural control after spinal cord injury or disease: A narrative review

List of abbreviations ABC Scale Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale AIS American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale BBS Berg Balance Scale CB&M Scale Community Balance and Mobility Scale COM center of mass COP center of pressure FRT Functional Reach Test IMU inertial measurement units KAFO knee ankle foot orthoses L/E lower extremity mini-BESTest mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test mFRT modified Functional Reach Test MMT manual muscle testing SCI/D…

S100b in spinal cord injury

List of abbreviations CSF cerebrospinal fluid SCI spinal cord injury MRI magnetic resonance imaging CNS central nervous system MS multiple sclerosis Introduction Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in severe social–economic problems, because it is observed mostly among younger adults. The incidence of SCI has been reported at 10.5 cases per 100,000 people ( ). This type of injury occurs in young to middle-aged populations due to…

Quality of life tools for spinal cord–injured people

Abbreviations ADL activities of daily living ASIA American Spinal Injury Association BPI brief pain inventory CHART Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique FSFI female sexual function index HRQOL health-related quality of life ICF International Classification of Functioning disability and health IIEF International Index of Erectile Function ISCOS International Spinal Cord Society LISAT life satisfaction questionnaire NIH National Institutes of Health ParQOL Participation and Quality of life…

Biomarkers in spinal cord injury: A highlight on prognostic insights

Abbreviations APRIL a proliferation-inducing ligand ASIA American Spine Injury Association AZGP zinc alpha 2 glycoprotein B2M β2 microglobulin BAFF B-cell activating factor BCMA B-cell maturation antigen BSCB blood spinal cord barrier CathD cathepsin D CCL2 chemokine ligand 2 CD95L CD95 (Fas/APO-1)-ligand CNS central nervous system CSF cerebral spinal fluid DEmiRNAs differently expressed miRNAs EAE experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis ENO2 enolase 2 EV extracellular vesicle FGF fibroblast growth…

Sleep problems in spinal cord injury

List of abbreviations AASM American association of sleep medicine AHI apnea hypopnea index AQOL assessment of quality of life BMI body mass index COSAQ randomized controlled trial of CPAP for OSA in Quadriplegia CPAP continuous positive airway pressure CSA central sleep apnea EEG electroencephalogram EMG electromyogram EOG electrooculogram OSA obstructive sleep apnea PASAT paced auditory serial addition task P CRIT critical closing pressure of the upper…

Infections and spinal cord injury: Covid-19 and beyond

List of abbreviations ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome bDMARDs biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs CT computerized tomography Covid-19 coronavirus disease 2019 GCs glucocorticoids HPA hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal IUC indwelling urethral catheter ICU intensive care unit ISNCSCI International Standards for Neurological Classification of the Spinal Cord Injury JAKi Janus kinase inhibitors MRI magnetic resonance imaging NICE National Institute for Clinical Excellence NE norepinephrine PI pulmonary infections PEP positive expiratory pressure…

Fall circumstances, consequences, assessments, and interventions to manage fall risk among individuals living with spinal cord injury

List of abbreviations 10-MWT 10-Meter walking test 6-MWT 6-Minute Walking Test ADL activities of daily living BBS Berg balance scale CHIEF Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors FIST function in sitting test FOF fear of falling FES I The Falls Efficacy Scale International mFRT modified functional reach test PEI photo-elicitation interviews SCI spinal cord injury SCI-FCS Spinal Cord Injury-Fall Concerns Scale SCIM III Spinal Cord Independence…