Pulsed subcutaneous electrical stimulation in spinal cord injury: preliminary results

Improved fracture healing in patients with concomitant traumatic brain injury: proven or not?

Over the last 3 decades, scientific evidence advocates an association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and accelerated fracture healing. Multiple clinical and preclinical studies have shown an enhanced callus formation and an increased callus volume in patients, respectively, rats with concomitant TBI. Over time, different substances (cytokines, hormones, etc.) were in focus to elucidate the relationship between TBI and fracture healing. Until now, the mechanism behind this relationship is not fully clarified and a consensus on which substance plays the key role could not be attained in the literature. In this review, we will give an overview of current concepts and opinions on this topic published in the last decade and both clinical and pathophysiological theories will be discussed.

Inflammation and its role in neuroprotection, axonal regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury

Trauma to the central nervous system (CNS) triggers intraparenchymal inflammation and activation of systemic immunity with the capacity to exacerbate neuropathology and stimulate mechanisms of tissue repair. Despite our incomplete understanding of the mechanisms that control these divergent functions, immune-based therapies are becoming a therapeutic focus. This review will address the complexities and controversies of post-traumatic neuroinflammation, particularly in spinal cord. In addition, current therapies designed to target neuroinflammatory cascades will be discussed.

Pain control using high-intensity pulsed magnetic stimulation

High-intensity pulsed magnetic stimulation (HIPMS) non-invasively depolarizes neurones, which can be deeply embedded in local tissues. Trans- or subcutaneous electrical stimulation can produce analgesia. To test the hypothesis that similar analgesia could be obtained using HIPMS, analgesia was determined in ten blinded subjects following HIPMS. Analgesia was consistently produced in all subjects with long-lasting pain relief occurring in half of the cases.

Biological effects of weak electromagnetic fields from 0 Hz to 200 MHz: a survey of the literature with special emphasis on possible magnetic resonance effects

The literature on biological effects of weak electromagnetic fields of a frequency of 200 MHz or less is surveyed. The topic has been extraordinarily controversial, in part because of disputed assertions about a role for electromagnetic fields in carcinogenesis or production of abnormalities in growth and development. There is fairly widespread acceptance of certain beneficial effects, particularly the stimulation of healing. An increasing number of reports point to interactions between static magnetic fields and time-varying fields in the production of some effects. Safety implications are noted along with the hypothetical possibility of production of experimental artifacts by electromagnetic fields in MRS research.