Spinal cord injury: can we repair spinal cord non-invasively by using magnetic stimulation?
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Delarue Q
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8374589 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Similar Datasets
Project description:To investigate the mechanism of electrical stimulation in the repair of spinal cord injury, we established a rat model of spinal cord injury. Then, we used RNA-SEQ data obtained from ES treatment and 6 different rat models of spinal cord injury for gene expression profile analysis.
2023-07-01 | GSE214291 | GEO
Project description:Electrical stimulation to repair spinal cord injury
| PRJNA989738 | ENA
Project description:Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an incurable condition in which the brain is disconnected partially or completely from the periphery. Mainly, SCIs are traumatic and are due to traffic, domestic or sport accidents. To date, SCIs are incurable and, most of the time, leave the patients with a permanent loss of sensitive and motor functions. Therefore, for several decades, researchers have tried to develop treatments to cure SCI. Among them, recently, our lab has demonstrated that, in mice, repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rTSMS) can, after SCI, modulate the lesion scar and can induce functional locomotor recovery non-invasively. These results are promising; however, before we can translate them to humans, it is important to reproduce them in a more clinically relevant model. Indeed, SCIs do not lead to the same cellular events in mice and humans. In particular, SCIs in humans induce the formation of cystic cavities. That is why we propose here to validate the effects of rTSMS in a rat animal model in which SCI leads to the formation of cystic cavities after penetrating and contusive SCI. To do so, several techniques, including immunohistochemical, behavioral and MRI, were performed. Our results demonstrate that rTSMS, in both SCI models, modulates the lesion scar by decreasing the formation of cystic cavities and by improving axonal survival. Moreover, rTSMS, in both models, enhances functional locomotor recovery. Altogether, our study describes that rTSMS exerts positive effects after SCI in rats. This study is a further step towards the use of this treatment in humans.
| S-EPMC8698720 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Neuromodulation of spinal networks can improve motor control after spinal cord injury (SCI). The objectives of this study were to (1) determine whether individuals with chronic paralysis can stand with the aid of non-invasive electrical spinal stimulation with their knees and hips extended without trainer assistance, and (2) investigate whether postural control can be further improved following repeated sessions of stand training. Using a double-blind, balanced, within-subject cross-over, and sham-controlled study design, 15 individuals with SCI of various severity received transcutaneous electrical spinal stimulation to regain self-assisted standing. The primary outcomes included qualitative comparison of need of external assistance for knee and hip extension provided by trainers during standing without and in the presence of stimulation in the same participants, as well as quantitative measures, such as the level of knee assistance and amount of time spent standing without trainer assistance. None of the participants could stand unassisted without stimulation or in the presence of sham stimulation. With stimulation all participants could maintain upright standing with minimum and some (n = 7) without external assistance applied to the knees or hips, using their hands for upper body balance as needed. Quality of balance control was practice-dependent, and improved with subsequent training. During self-initiated body-weight displacements in standing enabled by spinal stimulation, high levels of leg muscle activity emerged, and depended on the amount of muscle loading. Our findings indicate that the lumbosacral spinal networks can be modulated transcutaneously using electrical spinal stimulation to facilitate self-assisted standing after chronic motor and sensory complete paralysis.
| S-EPMC6482915 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a destructive disease that incurs huge personal and social costs, and there is no effective treatment. Although the pathogenesis and treatment mechanism of SCI has always been a strong scientific focus, the pathogenesis of SCI is still under investigation. AIM:To determine the key genes based on the modularization of in-depth analysis, in order to identify the repair mechanism of astrocytes and non-astrocytes in SCI. METHODS:Firstly, the differences between injured and non-injured spinal cord of astrocyte (HA), injured and non-injured spinal cord of non-astrocyte (FLOW), injured spinal cord of non-injured astrocyte (HA) and non-injured spinal cord of non-astrocyte (FLOW), and non-injured spinal cord of astrocyte (HA) and non-astrocyte (FLOW) were analyzed. The total number of differentially expressed genes was obtained by merging the four groups of differential results. Secondly, the genes were co-expressed and clustered. Then, the enrichment of GO function and KEGG pathway of module genes was analyzed. Finally, non-coding RNA, transcription factors and drugs that regulate module genes were predicted using hypergeometric tests. RESULTS:In summary, we obtained 19 expression modules involving 5216 differentially expressed genes. Among them, miR-494, XIST and other genes were differentially expressed in SCI patients, and played an active regulatory role in dysfunction module, and these genes were recognized as the driving genes of SCI. Enrichment results showed that module genes were significantly involved in the biological processes of inflammation, oxidation and apoptosis. Signal pathways such as NF-kappa B/A20, AMPK and MAPK were significantly regulated. In addition, non-coding RNA pivot (including miR-136-5p and let-7d-5p, etc.) and transcription factor pivot (including NFKB1, MYC, etc.) were identified as significant regulatory dysfunction modules. CONCLUSION:Overall, this study uncovered a co-expression network of key genes involved in astrocyte and non-astrocyte regulation in SCI. These findings helped to reveal the core dysfunction modules, potential regulatory factors and driving genes of the disease, and to improve our understanding of its pathogenesis.
| S-EPMC7062612 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The strategy of using a combination of scaffold-based physical and biochemical cues to repair spinal cord injury (SCI) has shown promising results. However, integrating conductivity and neurotrophins into a scaffold that recreates the electrophysiologic and nutritional microenvironment of the spinal cord (SC) remains challenging. In this study we investigated the therapeutic potential of a soft thermo-sensitive polymer electroactive hydrogel (TPEH) loaded with nerve growth factor (NGF) combined with functional electrical stimulation (ES) for the treatment of SCI. The developed hydrogel exhibits outstanding electrical conductance upon ES, with continuous release of NGF for at least 24 days. In cultured nerve cells, TPEH loaded with NGF promoted the neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells and axonal growth, an effect that was potentiated by ES. In a rat model of SCI, TPEH combined with NGF and ES stimulated endogenous neurogenesis and improved motor function. These results indicate that the TPEH scaffold that combines ES and biochemical cues can effectively promote SC tissue repair.
| S-EPMC8461877 | biostudies-literature
Project description:AimAfter spinal cord injuries (SCIs), patients may develop either detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) or urinary incontinence, depending on the level of the spinal injury. DSD and incontinence reflect the loss of coordinated neural control among the detrusor muscle, which increases bladder pressure to facilitate urination, and urethral sphincters and pelvic floor muscles, which control the bladder outlet to restrict or permit bladder emptying. Transcutaneous magnetic stimulation (TMS) applied to the spinal cord after SCI reduced DSD and incontinence. We defined, within a mathematical model, the minimum neuronal elements necessary to replicate neurogenic dysfunction of the bladder after a SCI and incorporated into this model the minimum additional neurophysiological features sufficient to replicate the improvements in bladder function associated with lumbar TMS of the spine in patients with SCI.MethodsWe created a computational model of the neural circuit of micturition based on Hodgkin-Huxley equations that replicated normal bladder function. We added interneurons and increased network complexity to reproduce dysfunctional micturition after SCI, and we increased the density and complexity of interactions of both inhibitory and excitatory lumbar spinal interneurons responsive to TMS to provide a more diverse set of spinal responses to intrinsic and extrinsic activation of spinal interneurons that remains after SCI.ResultsThe model reproduced the re-emergence of a spinal voiding reflex after SCI. When we investigated the effect of monophasic and biphasic TMS at two frequencies applied at or below T10, the model replicated the improved coordination between detrusor and external urethral sphincter activity that has been observed clinically: low-frequency TMS (1 Hz) within the model normalized control of voiding after SCI, whereas high-frequency TMS (30 Hz) enhanced urine storage.ConclusionNeuroplasticity and increased complexity of interactions among lumbar interneurons, beyond what is necessary to simulate normal bladder function, must be present in order to replicate the effects of SCI on control of micturition, and both neuronal and network modifications of lumbar interneurons are essential to understand the mechanisms whereby TMS reduced bladder dysfunction after SCI.
| S-EPMC11244836 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Nowadays there are at present no efficient therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI), and new approaches have to be proposed. Recently, a new regenerative medicine strategy has been suggested using smart biomaterials able to carry and deliver cells and/or drugs in the damaged spinal cord. Among the wide field of emerging materials, research has been focused on hydrogels, three-dimensional polymeric networks able to swell and absorb a large amount of water. The present paper intends to give an overview of a wide range of natural, synthetic, and composite hydrogels with particular efforts for the ones studied in the last five years. Here, different hydrogel applications are underlined, together with their different nature, in order to have a clearer view of what is happening in one of the most sparkling fields of regenerative medicine.
| S-EPMC3369745 | biostudies-other
Project description:ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of using transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (TSCS) on upper and lower extremity function in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).DesignProspective case series.SettingSCI specific rehabilitation hospital.ParticipantsA convenience sample (N = 7) of individuals with tetraplegia who had previously been discharged from outpatient therapy due to a plateau in progress.InterventionsIndividuals participated in 60 min of upper extremity (UE) functional task-specific practice (FTP) in combination with TSCS and 60 min of locomotor training in combination with TSCS 5x/week.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome for this analysis was the Capabilities of Upper Extremity Test (CUE-T). Secondary outcomes include UE motor score (UEMS), LE motor score (LEMS), sensation (light touch and pin prick), Nine-Hole Peg Test, 10 meter walk test, 6 min walk test, and 5 min stand test.ResultsSeven individuals (four motor complete; three motor incomplete) completed 20-80 sessions UE and LE training augmented with TSCS and without any serious adverse events. Improvements were reported on the CUE-T in all seven individuals. Two individuals improved their ASIA impairment scale (AIS) classification (B to C; C to D) and two individuals improved their neurologic level of injury by one level (C4-C5; C5-C6). Sensation improved in five individuals and all four who started out with motor complete SCIs were able to voluntarily activate their LEs on command in the presence of stimulation.ConclusionIndividuals with chronic SCI who had previously demonstrated a plateau in function after an intensive outpatient therapy program were able to improve in a variety of UE and LE outcomes in response to TSCS without any adverse events. This was a small pilot study and future fully powered studies with comparative interventions need to be completed to assess efficacy.
| S-EPMC9396932 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to a loss of sensitive and motor functions. Currently, there is no therapeutic intervention offering a complete recovery. Here, we report that repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rTSMS) can be a noninvasive SCI treatment that enhances tissue repair and functional recovery. Several techniques including immunohistochemical, behavioral, cells cultures, and proteomics have been performed. Moreover, different lesion paradigms, such as acute and chronic phase following SCI in wild-type and transgenic animals at different ages (juvenile, adult, and aged), have been used. We demonstrate that rTSMS modulates the lesion scar by decreasing fibrosis and inflammation and increases proliferation of spinal cord stem cells. Our results demonstrate also that rTSMS decreases demyelination, which contributes to axonal regrowth, neuronal survival, and locomotor recovery after SCI. This research provides evidence that rTSMS induces therapeutic effects in a preclinical rodent model and suggests possible translation to clinical application in humans.
| S-EPMC7851265 | biostudies-literature