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Neurochemistry International Dec 2023Parvalbumin is one of the calcium-binding proteins. In the spinal cord, it is mainly expressed in inhibitory neurons; in the dorsal root ganglia, it is expressed in... (Review)
Review
Parvalbumin is one of the calcium-binding proteins. In the spinal cord, it is mainly expressed in inhibitory neurons; in the dorsal root ganglia, it is expressed in proprioceptive neurons. In contrast to in the brain, weak systematization of parvalbumin-expressing neurons occurs in the spinal cord. The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic review of parvalbumin-expressing neuronal populations throughout the spinal cord and the dorsal root ganglia of mammals, regarding their mapping, co-expression with some functional markers. The data reviewed are mostly concerning rodentia species because they are predominantly presented in literature.
Topics: Animals; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Parvalbumins; Ganglia, Spinal; Spinal Cord; Neurons; Mammals
PubMed: 37967669
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105634 -
Reviews in the Neurosciences Dec 2023In recent decade microglia have been found to have a central role in the development of chronic neuropathic pain after injury to the peripheral nervous system. It is... (Review)
Review
In recent decade microglia have been found to have a central role in the development of chronic neuropathic pain after injury to the peripheral nervous system. It is widely accepted that peripheral nerve injury triggers microglial activation in the spinal cord, which contributes to heightened pain sensation and eventually chronic pain states. The contribution of microglia to chronic pain arising after injury to the central nervous system, such as spinal cord injury (SCI), has been less studied, but there is evidence supporting microglial contribution to central neuropathic pain. In this systematic review, we focused on post-SCI microglial activation and how it is linked to emergence and maintenance of chronic neuropathic pain arising after SCI. We found that the number of studies using animal SCI models addressing microglial activity is still small, compared with the ones using peripheral nerve injury models. We have collected 20 studies for full inclusion in this review. Many mechanisms and cellular interactions are yet to be fully understood, although several studies report an increase of density and activity of microglia in the spinal cord, both in the vicinity of the injury and in the spared spinal tissue, as well as in the brain. Changes in microglial activity come with several molecular changes, including expression of receptors and activation of signalling pathways. As with peripheral neuropathic pain, microglia seem to be important players and might become a therapeutic target in the future.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Microglia; Peripheral Nerve Injuries; Chronic Pain; Neuralgia; Spinal Cord Injuries
PubMed: 37490300
DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0031 -
NeuroImage. Clinical 2023Current evidences show an increased risk of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in migraineurs compared to age-matched controls. However, WMHs prevalence and the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Current evidences show an increased risk of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in migraineurs compared to age-matched controls. However, WMHs prevalence and the associations between WMHs and clinical characteristics in migraineurs have not been systematically evaluated using a meta-analytical approach. This study explored the pooled prevalence of WMHs and the associations of WMHs with the clinical characteristics in patients with migraine.
METHODS
A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies reporting the occurrence and clinical characteristics of patients with WMHs attributed to migraine was performed. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Random-effects models were used to calculate the pooled prevalence rate, odds ratio (OR), or mean difference (MD) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
RESULTS
Thirty eligible studies were identified including 3,502 migraineurs aged 37.2 (mean) years. The pooled WMHs prevalence was 44 %, 45 %, and 38 % in migraine, migraine with aura, and migraine without aura groups, respectively. In migraineurs with WMHs, the frontal lobe and subcortical white matter were the most susceptible area. Compared with non-migraine controls, patients with migraine had increased odds for WMHs (OR 4.32, 95 % CI = 2.56-7.28, I = 67 %). According to reported univariable results from included studies, pooled analysis showed that clinical characteristics including age, presence of aura, disease duration, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and right-to-left shunt were associated with the presence of WMHs. Migraine pain and aura characteristics were not related to WMHs.
CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that WMHs are common in migraine, especially in those who are older or have aura, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or right-to-left shunt. A better understanding of the WMHs attributed to migraine is needed in future studies.
Topics: Humans; White Matter; Prevalence; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Migraine Disorders; Epilepsy; Hypertension; Leukoaraiosis
PubMed: 36610309
DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103312 -
Spinal Cord Jun 2021This study is a systematic review. (Review)
Review
STUDY DESIGN
This study is a systematic review.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate current in vivo techniques used in the investigation of the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB).
METHODS
Search of English language literature for animal studies that investigated the BSCB in vivo. Data extraction included animal model/type, protocol for BSCB evaluation, and study outcomes. Descriptive syntheses are provided.
RESULTS
A total of 40 studies were included, which mainly investigated rodent models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) or spinal cord injury (SCI). The main techniques used were magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intravital microscopy (IVM). MRI served as a reliable tool to longitudinally track BSCB permeability changes with dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) using gadolinium, or assess inflammatory infiltrations with targeted alternative contrast agents. IVM provided high-resolution visualization of cellular and molecular interactions across the microvasculature, commonly with either epi-fluorescence or two-photon microscopy. MRI and IVM techniques enabled the evaluation of therapeutic interventions and mechanisms that drive spinal cord dysfunction in EAE and SCI. A small number of studies demonstrated the feasibility of DCE-computed tomography, ultrasound, bioluminescent, and fluorescent optical imaging methods to evaluate the BSCB. Technique-specific limitations and multiple protocols for image acquisition and data analyses are described for all techniques.
CONCLUSION
There are few in vivo investigations of the BSCB. Additional studies are needed in less commonly studied spinal cord disorders, and to establish standardized protocols for data acquisition and analysis. Further development of techniques and multimodal approaches could overcome current imaging limitations to the spinal cord. These advancements might promote wider adoption of techniques, and can provide greater potential for clinical translation.
Topics: Animals; Blood-Brain Barrier; Disease Models, Animal; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Permeability; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Injuries
PubMed: 33742118
DOI: 10.1038/s41393-021-00623-7 -
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine Jul 2023Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with several gastrointestinal disorders, and the prevalence of cholelithiasis is high in this population. Because individuals with...
CONTEXT
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with several gastrointestinal disorders, and the prevalence of cholelithiasis is high in this population. Because individuals with SCI may have atypical symptoms and more advanced disease, some treatment centers advocate prophylactic cholecystectomy for patients with SCI and gallstone disease.
OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the existence and quality of studies on prophylactic cholecystectomy in individuals with SCI and cholelithiasis.
METHODS
A systematic search of literature up to July 10, 2022 was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines using the Medline, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. Keywords used were "cholecystectomy," "gallbladder," "cholelithiasis," "gallstone," and "spinal cord injury."
RESULTS
The search identified 118 articles, of which 4 met the inclusion criteria. All these were retrospective observational studies. Prophylactic cholecystectomy was performed in 4-16.5% of the participants. The causes of cholecystectomy were chronic cholecystitis with biliary colic (44.5-63.5%), acute cholecystitis (4-26%), choledocholithiasis (6-11%) and pancreatitis (2-6%). Operative times, conversion rates, estimated blood loss, severity of complications, morbidity and mortality did not differ significantly between individuals with SCI and neurologically able individuals.
CONCLUSION
No prospective cohort studies comparing prophylactic cholecystectomy with conservative management in individuals with SCI and gallstone disease have been conducted. Therefore, there is no robust evidence to support prophylactic cholecystectomy and further studies are required.
Topics: Humans; Spinal Cord Injuries; Retrospective Studies; Cholecystectomy; Cholelithiasis
PubMed: 36355833
DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2022.2144026 -
World Neurosurgery May 2023Supratentorial hemangioblastomas are benign and highly vascularized neoplasms that appear most often in the spine and posterior cranial fossa. They can also be located... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Supratentorial hemangioblastomas are benign and highly vascularized neoplasms that appear most often in the spine and posterior cranial fossa. They can also be located in the supratentorial compartment of the brain. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to better understand the clinical insights of supratentorial hemangioblastoma in adults.
METHODS
Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, the authors reviewed the English-language literature in the PubMed/MEDLINE database on supratentorial hemangioblastoma in adults, published in the past 40 years. We analyzed the differences between sporadic hemangioblastomas and hemangioblastomas associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. In addition, we compared the characteristics of supratentorial hemangioblastomas with infratentorial and spinal cord locations.
RESULTS
We reviewed 92 articles, describing 157 supratentorial hemangioblastomas in a total cohort of 148 adult patients. Most articles reporting supratentorial hemangioblastomas were published in the United States. Supratentorial hemangioblastomas occur more frequently in women than men. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 44.48 years. The sellar/parasellar region was the most commonly tumor location, while the most common morphological type was the solid type. Almost 80% of hemangioblastomas were completely resected; the outcome was favorable in more than 3 fourth of patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Given their rarity, the literature on supratentorial hemangioblastomas is limited and based mostly on case reports. Complete surgical resection is the first choice of treatment and is associated with a good treatment outcome.
Topics: Male; Adult; Humans; Female; Hemangioblastoma; Spinal Cord; von Hippel-Lindau Disease; Treatment Outcome; Brain; Spinal Cord Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 36822402
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.02.071 -
Journal of Neurotrauma May 2021Persons living with spinal cord injury (SCI) are potentially at risk for severe COVID-19 disease given that they often have decreased lung capacity and may lack the...
Persons living with spinal cord injury (SCI) are potentially at risk for severe COVID-19 disease given that they often have decreased lung capacity and may lack the ability to effectively evacuate their lungs. Known risk factors for negative outcomes after COVID-19, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, disproportionally affect people with SCI and raise concerns for the mortality risk among persons with SCI. A rapid systematic review of English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese literature on COVID-19 and SCI was performed using the keywords "spinal cord injury" and "COVID-19." We included studies that provided information on clinical presentation, characteristics, course, and outcomes of COVID-19 disease in SCI. We excluded studies on patients who did not have an SCI before severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection or did not report clinical information. We included 10 studies in total: nine studies with a total of 171 patients and a survey study of 783 healthcare professionals. Fever (74%), cough (52%), and dyspnea (33%) were the most frequently reported symptoms, and 63% showed abnormalities on X-ray imaging. In the included case series and reports ( = 31), only 1 patient required mechanical ventilation, but 3 patients died (10%). The mortality rate in a large registry study ( = 140) was 19%. Clinical presentation of COVID-19 in SCI patients was similar to the general population, and though adverse events and intensive care unit admission were low, the mortality rate was high (10-19%). No prognostic factors for severe disease or mortality could be identified. Registration (PROSPERO): CRD42020196565.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Spinal Cord Injuries
PubMed: 33502924
DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7461 -
World Neurosurgery Feb 2016Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurologic entity characterized by a primary insult followed by a secondary pathologic cascade that propagates... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurologic entity characterized by a primary insult followed by a secondary pathologic cascade that propagates further injury. Hypothermia has an established clinical role in preventing SCI after cardiac arrest and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, yet its emergence as a potential neuroprotectant after spinal cord trauma remains experimental. There are currently no pharmacologic interventions available to prevent secondary mechanisms of injury after spinal cord trauma.
METHODS
Systematic review of literature.
RESULTS
Experimental studies demonstrated that hypothermia diminishes secondary pathomechanisms, such as ischemia, oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, and edema. Early onset and longer durations of hypothermia as well as concomitant steroids or neural stem cell engraftment combined with hypothermia appear to improve functional and histologic outcomes in animal models of spinal cord trauma. Recent clinical studies provide evidence that localized and systemic hypothermia may be applied safely and efficaciously in patients with severe acute SCI. Randomized clinical trials are needed to better evaluate optimal cooling parameters and the effectiveness of hypothermia after traumatic SCI.
CONCLUSION
Although variability exists in the literature, therapeutic hypothermia most likely confers neuroprotection after spinal cord trauma by diminishing the destructive secondary cascade. The available clinical data suggest that regional and systemic hypothermia is a relatively safe and feasible initial treatment modality for patients with acute SCI when combined with surgical decompression/stabilization with or without steroids. However, establishing a clinical role for therapeutic hypothermia after spinal cord trauma will invariably depend on future well-designed, multicentered, randomized, controlled clinical trial data.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Hypothermia, Induced; Spinal Cord Injuries
PubMed: 26433095
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2015.09.079 -
Injury Nov 2020To acquire evidence-based knowledge in temporal and spatial patterns of microglia/macrophages changes to facilitate finding proper intervention time for functional... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To acquire evidence-based knowledge in temporal and spatial patterns of microglia/macrophages changes to facilitate finding proper intervention time for functional restoration after traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI).
SETTING
Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
METHODS
We searched PubMed and EMBASE via Ovid SP with no temporal and linguistic restrictions. Besides, hand-search was performed in the bibliographies of relevant studies. The experimental non-interventional and non-transgenic animal studies confined to the rat species which assess the pathological change of microglia /macrophages at the specified time were included.
RESULTS
We found 15,315 non-duplicate studies. Screening through title and abstract narrowed down to 607 relevant articles, 31 of them were selected based on the inclusion criteria. The reactivity of the microglia/macrophages initiates in early hours PI in contusion, compression and transection models. Cells activity reached a maximum within 48 h to 28 days in compression, 7 days in contusion and between 4 and 60 days in transection models. Inflammatory response occurred at the epicenter, in or near the lesion site in both gray and white matter in all three injury models with a maximum extension of one centimeter caudal and rostral to the epicenter in the gray matter in contusion and transection models.
CONCLUSION
This study was designed to study spatial-temporal changes in the activation of microglia/macrophages overtime after TSCI. We were able to demonstrate time-dependent cell morphological changes after TSCI. The peak times of cell reactivity and the areas where the cells responded to the injury were determined.
Topics: Animals; Contusions; Disease Models, Animal; Iran; Macrophages; Microglia; Rats; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Injuries
PubMed: 32665068
DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2020.07.007 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Aug 2023Spinal metastasis is a common secondary malignant tumor of the bone, often resulting in spinal cord and nerve root compression, leading to obvious pain and related...
Spinal metastasis is a common secondary malignant tumor of the bone, often resulting in spinal cord and nerve root compression, leading to obvious pain and related compression symptoms. This condition has a high incidence and mortality rate. The treatment approach for most patients with spinal metastasis is primarily palliative. Consultation with a multidisciplinary team is widely accepted as a comprehensive treatment approach for patients with spinal metastases. With advancements in research and technology, the evaluation and treatment of spinal metastatic cancer are continuously evolving. This study provides an overview of surgical treatment, minimally invasive treatment, and radiotherapy for spinal metastatic cancer and also analyzes the clinical effects, advantages, and current limitations associated with various treatment approaches.
Topics: Humans; Spinal Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Pain; Palliative Care; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Compression
PubMed: 37537684
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-03975-3