In mice, loss of hindlimb motion due to spinal cord injury was significantly reversed by DNA encoding hyper-interleukin-6 (hIL-6), a designer cytokine. The DNA was delivered by an adeno-associated virus (AAV), which was injected just once, 30 min after spinal cord injury, into the sensorimotor cortex. This intervention promoted the regeneration of corticospinal and raphespinal fibers, improvements that led to locomotion improvements, as determined by tests using the Basso Mouse Scale and an automated catwalk gait analysis system. (excerpt)
Author: CureSteps
Abstract
Knockout of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN−/−) is neuroprotective and promotes axon regeneration in mature neurons. Elevation of mTOR activity in injured neurons has been proposed as the primary underlying mechanism. Here we demonstrate that PTEN−/− also abrogates the inhibitory activity of GSK3 on collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons. Moreover, maintenance of GSK3 activity in Gsk3S/A knockin mice significantly compromised PTEN−/−-mediated optic nerve regeneration as well as the activity of CRMP2, and to a lesser extent, mTOR. These GSK3S/A mediated negative effects on regeneration were rescued by viral expression of constitutively active CRMP2T/A, despite decreased mTOR activation. Gsk3S/A knockin or CRMP2 inhibition also decreased PTEN−/− mediated neurite growth of RGCs in culture and disinhibition towards CNS myelin. Thus, the GSK3/CRMP2 pathway is essential for PTEN−/− mediated axon regeneration. These new mechanistic insights may help to find novel strategies to promote axon regeneration.
Recruitment Status : Recruiting
First Posted : January 6, 2021
Last Update Posted : January 11, 2021
A University of Arkansas biomedical engineering researcher has been awarded a grant to improve treatments for spinal cord injuries by developing a new drug delivery method using stem cells. (excerpt)
Almost 18,000 Americans experience traumatic spinal cord injuries every year. Many of these people are unable to use their hands and arms and can’t do everyday tasks such as eating, grooming or drinking water without help.
Using physical therapy combined with a noninvasive method of stimulating nerve cells in the spinal cord, University of Washington researchers helped six Seattle area participants regain some hand and arm mobility. (excerpt)
A study from the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury, published ahead-of-print, has found that long-term lower extremity functional electrical stimulation cycling, as part of a rehabilitation regimen, is associated with substantial improvements in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. Improvements include neurological and functional gains, as well as enhanced physical health demonstrated by decreased fat, increased muscle mass and improved lipid profile. Prior to this study’s publication on 4 March 2013 in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, the benefits of activity-based restorative therapy programmes, such as functional electrical stimulation cycling, were largely anecdotal. (excerpt)
Electrical spinal stimulation combined with activity-based rehabilitation (ABR) can improve motor and autonomic function in individuals suffering from varying degrees of paralysis. Spinal stimulation studies have included invasive implanted devices and non-invasive transcutaneous systems using different combinations of stimulation current, waveform, amplitude, duration and spinal levels targeted. Invasive and non-invasive systems have been demonstrated to permit individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), previously considered to have complete injuries on the International Standards for the Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injuries (ISNCSCI) scale (Classification A), to regain some degree of voluntary and autonomic function during periods of stimulation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a novel non-invasive transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation system (tSCS) combined with activity-based rehabilitation in patients who have paralysis of their legs and/or arms. We will examine participants for any changes in sensory, motor or autonomic function. We will use a transcutaneous spinal cord stimulator that has been designed to deliver safe and tolerable bursts of high frequency pulsed current that minimise the capacitance efforts of the skin surface and maximise conductance of a second waveform using low frequency current to target neural structures. We aim to investigate this form of neuromodulation with a small group of individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. Our goal is to observe and describe any short term or lasting changes in function that can safely and comfortably be derived from this combination of spinal stimulation and activity-based rehabilitation. If this therapy can cause lasting improvements in sensory, motor, respiratory or autonomic function, then this may lead to a greater degree of functional independence for these individuals.
An international research team, co-led by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, has received a $48 million grant (US$36.5M) for research that aims to improve long-term outcomes for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). (excerpt)