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International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2020Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a destructive neurological and pathological state that causes major motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunctions. Its pathophysiology comprises... (Review)
Review
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a destructive neurological and pathological state that causes major motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunctions. Its pathophysiology comprises acute and chronic phases and incorporates a cascade of destructive events such as ischemia, oxidative stress, inflammatory events, apoptotic pathways and locomotor dysfunctions. Many therapeutic strategies have been proposed to overcome neurodegenerative events and reduce secondary neuronal damage. Efforts have also been devoted in developing neuroprotective and neuro-regenerative therapies that promote neuronal recovery and outcome. Although varying degrees of success have been achieved, curative accomplishment is still elusive probably due to the complex healing and protective mechanisms involved. Thus, current understanding in this area must be assessed to formulate appropriate treatment modalities to improve SCI recovery. This review aims to promote the understanding of SCI pathophysiology, interrelated or interlinked multimolecular interactions and various methods of neuronal recovery i.e., neuroprotective, immunomodulatory and neuro-regenerative pathways and relevant approaches.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Injuries; Spinal Cord Regeneration
PubMed: 33066029
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207533 -
Nature Reviews. Neurology Jan 2021Although lesion size is widely considered to be the most reliable predictor of outcome after CNS injury, lesions of comparable size can produce vastly different... (Review)
Review
Although lesion size is widely considered to be the most reliable predictor of outcome after CNS injury, lesions of comparable size can produce vastly different magnitudes of functional impairment and subsequent recovery. This neuroanatomical-functional paradox is likely to contribute to the many failed attempts to independently replicate findings from animal models of neurotrauma. In humans, the analogous clinical-radiological paradox could explain why individuals with similar injuries can respond differently to rehabilitation. We describe the neuroanatomical-functional paradox in the context of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) and discuss the underlying mechanisms of the paradox, including the concepts of lesion-affected and recovery-related networks. We also consider the various secondary complications that further limit the accuracy of outcome prediction in SCI and provide suggestions for how to increase the predictive, translational value of preclinical SCI models.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Models, Animal; Recovery of Function; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Injuries
PubMed: 33311711
DOI: 10.1038/s41582-020-00436-x -
Nutrients Jun 2018Magnesium is well known for its diverse actions within the human body. From a neurological standpoint, magnesium plays an essential role in nerve transmission and... (Review)
Review
Magnesium is well known for its diverse actions within the human body. From a neurological standpoint, magnesium plays an essential role in nerve transmission and neuromuscular conduction. It also functions in a protective role against excessive excitation that can lead to neuronal cell death (excitotoxicity), and has been implicated in multiple neurological disorders. Due to these important functions within the nervous system, magnesium is a mineral of intense interest for the potential prevention and treatment of neurological disorders. Current literature is reviewed for migraine, chronic pain, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke, as well as the commonly comorbid conditions of anxiety and depression. Previous reviews and meta-analyses are used to set the scene for magnesium research across neurological conditions, while current research is reviewed in greater detail to update the literature and demonstrate the progress (or lack thereof) in the field. There is strong data to suggest a role for magnesium in migraine and depression, and emerging data to suggest a protective effect of magnesium for chronic pain, anxiety, and stroke. More research is needed on magnesium as an adjunct treatment in epilepsy, and to further clarify its role in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Overall, the mechanistic attributes of magnesium in neurological diseases connote the macromineral as a potential target for neurological disease prevention and treatment.
Topics: Brain; Central Nervous System Agents; Central Nervous System Diseases; Humans; Magnesium; Prognosis; Spinal Cord
PubMed: 29882776
DOI: 10.3390/nu10060730 -
Journal of Ultrasound Jun 2019Ultrasound represents the first-line survey for the assessment of spinal cord development abnormalities. In fact, within 6 months of life, the non-ossification of... (Review)
Review
Ultrasound represents the first-line survey for the assessment of spinal cord development abnormalities. In fact, within 6 months of life, the non-ossification of neuronal arcs provides an excellent acoustic window that allows a detailed depiction of the spinal canal, its content and of the surrounding soft tissues. Nevertheless, an accurate ultrasound examination requires a complete knowledge of the anatomy, the condition of normality, the frequent anatomical variants and the main pathologies involved. This review is intended to briefly summarize the US technique, the main clinical indication and the key notions that could help to properly perform this type of ultrasound examination.
Topics: Anatomic Variation; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Diseases; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 30535560
DOI: 10.1007/s40477-018-0345-y -
NeuroImage. Clinical 2022Spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a central role in multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical practice for diagnosis and disease monitoring. Advanced MRI sequences... (Review)
Review
Spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a central role in multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical practice for diagnosis and disease monitoring. Advanced MRI sequences capable of visualizing and quantifying tissue macro- and microstructure and reflecting different pathological disease processes have been used in MS research; however, the spinal cord remains under-explored, partly due to technical obstacles inherent to imaging this structure. We propose that the study of the spinal cord merits equal ambition in overcoming technical challenges, and that there is much information to be exploited to make valuable contributions to our understanding of MS. We present a narrative review on the latest progress in advanced spinal cord MRI in MS, covering in the first part structural, functional, metabolic and vascular imaging methods. We focus on recent studies of MS and those making significant technical steps, noting the challenges that remain to be addressed and what stands to be gained from such advances. Throughout we also refer to other works that presend more in-depth review on specific themes. In the second part, we present several topics that, in our view, hold particular potential. The need for better imaging of gray matter is discussed. We stress the importance of developing imaging beyond the cervical spinal cord, and explore the use of ultra-high field MRI. Finally, some recommendations are given for future research, from study design to newer developments in analysis, and the need for harmonization of sequences and methods within the field. This review is aimed at researchers and clinicians with an interest in gaining an overview of the current state of advanced MRI research in this field and what is primed to be the future of spinal cord imaging in MS research.
Topics: Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Spinal Cord; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Cervical Cord
PubMed: 36306717
DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103244 -
NeuroImage. Clinical 2023Cervical spinal cord atrophy occurs after spinal cord injury. The atrophy and how level of injury affects atrophy differs between studies. A systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Cervical spinal cord atrophy occurs after spinal cord injury. The atrophy and how level of injury affects atrophy differs between studies. A systematic review and metaanalysis were done after systematic searches of PubMed, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo and Web of Science. English language original studies analyzing MRI cervical spinal cord cross-sectional area in adults with spinal cord injury were included. Atrophy and correlation between injury level and atrophy were estimated with random-effects models, standardized mean differences, and 95% confidence intervals. 24 studies were identified. 13/24 studies had low risk of bias. Cord atrophy meta-analysis of 18 articles corresponded to a standardized mean difference of -1.48 (95% CI -1.78 to -1.19) with moderate to large interstudy heterogeneity. Logarithmic time since injury influenced heterogeneity. Longitudinal atrophy was best described by a logarithmic model, indicating that rate of spinal atrophy decreases over time. Meta-correlation of eight studies indicated more severe atrophy in more rostral injuries (0.41, 95% CI 0.20-0.59). Larger and preferably longitudinal studies, data sharing, and standardized protocols are warranted.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Spinal Cord Injuries; Spinal Cord; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Cervical Cord; Atrophy
PubMed: 36931004
DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103372 -
Current Biology : CB Nov 2007
Topics: Animals; Interneurons; Locomotion; Mammals; Nervous System; Neuronal Plasticity; Sensation; Spinal Cord
PubMed: 18029245
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2007.10.014 -
Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Jan 2010The neonatal mouse spinal cord is a model for studying the development of neural circuitries and locomotor movement. We demonstrate the spinal cord dissection and...
The neonatal mouse spinal cord is a model for studying the development of neural circuitries and locomotor movement. We demonstrate the spinal cord dissection and preparation of recording bath artificial cerebrospinal fluid used for locomotor studies. Once dissected, the spinal cord ventral nerve roots can be attached to a recording electrode to record the electrophysiologic signals of the central pattern generating circuitry within the lumbar cord.
Topics: Animals; Electrophysiology; Mice; Spinal Cord
PubMed: 20084054
DOI: 10.3791/1660 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2017Diastematomyelia is a rare spinal dysraphism in which the spinal cord and its content are split. Two types of diastematomyelia have been described. We report the case of...
Diastematomyelia is a rare spinal dysraphism in which the spinal cord and its content are split. Two types of diastematomyelia have been described. We report the case of a 12 year old male patient presenting with reduced lower limb muscle strength without associated sphincteric disorders. The patient underwent axial, sagittal and coronal T1 and T2-weighted MRI sequence of the spine. MRI showed a bifid appearance of the bone marrow of thoracolumbar vertebrae in two hemi-cords without bone spur separating the two hemi-marrows, compatible with type 1 diastematomyelia. It was associated with low tethered spinal cord with syringomyelic cavity involving the left hemi-marrow and with biloculated fibrotic lesion at the level of the right hemi-marrow compatible with a neuroenteric cyst. MRI also showed incomplete closure of the posterior arch of D12 vertebra which communicated with a subcutaneous pocket in relation to a dermal sinus. Diastematomyelia is a rare abnormality of the spine which can be associated with other malformations. Therapeutic strategy essentially depends on the progression of the clinical signs (neurological) and of associated malformations.
Topics: Child; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neural Tube Defects; Spinal Cord; Spinal Dysraphism
PubMed: 29721147
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2017.28.317.14500 -
Developmental Biology Dec 2017
Topics: Animals; Central Nervous System; Humans; Models, Neurological; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Injuries; Spinal Cord Regeneration
PubMed: 29030145
DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.10.005