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Ekhator C, Bellegarde SB, Nduma BN, Qureshi MQ, Fonkem E. The Spine is the Tree of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Radiographic Findings Related to Spinal Injuries in Athletes. Cureus 2024; 16:e58780. [PMID: 38784300 PMCID: PMC11111419 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This review article explores spinal injuries in athletes participating in various sporting activities. It also highlights the various mechanisms of injuries that contribute to spinal injuries in each sport. Electronic databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, MEDLINE Ovid, and Google Scholar were searched for articles from 2000 to 2022 on spine injuries in sports and radiological studies discussing the various injury patterns among athletes. Studies were scoured in accordance with the inclusion criteria, and relevant data such as the number of participants, sporting activities, spine injuries, and outcomes were retrieved. Fifteen articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Cervical spine injuries are common in athletes who participate in contact sports such as football. Similarly, athletes in collision sports such as football, rugby, and hockey are likely to suffer stingers due to traction and compression injuries. Players engaged in such as soccer, baseball, and swimming, are likely to suffer from spondylolysis. Soccer players are more prone to multiple lesions compared to athletes in sports such as baseball because the sport involves training exercises such as jogging and running without kicking any ball. In swimmers, spondylolysis is common in breaststroke and butterfly styles since they involve repeated flexion and hyperextension of the lumbar spine. CT is essential for diagnosing spondylolysis as it demonstrates the lesions more accurately. Ice hockey is associated with a significant incidence of cervical spine injuries, mostly due to players being constantly checked/pushed from behind. Spine injuries are common in elite athletes across several sports. About 10% of spinal injuries in the United States result from sports activities. In diagnosing spine injuries, imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, or plain radiographs are essential. From a radiologist's perspective, these tests help immensely in deciding which treatment is required for a particular athlete or how the injury can be optimally managed. Achieving recovery from a specific spine injury usually depends on the kind of injury and the rehabilitation process the athletes undergo before returning to play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chukwuyem Ekhator
- Neuro-Oncology, New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, USA
| | - Sophia B Bellegarde
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Antigua, St. John's, ATG
| | - Basil N Nduma
- Internal Medicine, Medical City Hospital, Denton, USA
| | | | - Ekokobe Fonkem
- Neuro-Oncology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, USA
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2
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Michael FM, Patel SP, Bachstetter AD, Rabchevsky AG. Proinflammatory and Immunomodulatory Gene and Protein Expression Patterns in Spinal Cord and Spleen Following Acute and Chronic High Thoracic Injury. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:3341-3349. [PMID: 37576153 PMCID: PMC10423003 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s417435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction In addition to paralysis and loss of sensation, high-level spinal cord injury (SCI) causes sympathetic dysfunction that can lead to autonomic dysreflexia (AD) and chronic immune suppression involving splenic leukopenia. Evidence has shown that treatment with either gabapentin or blockade of TNFα mitigates maladaptive plasticity and the underlying hemodynamic dysfunction, spleen atrophy, and immune dysfunction associated with AD. Because significant improvements long term was noted following treatments only during acute stages of recovery, we sought to systematically examine changes in proinflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokines to ascertain the reason. Methods Adult female Wistar rats underwent complete T4 spinal transection before euthanasia at systematic intervals from 3 days to 8 weeks after injury. Using qRT-PCR and meso scale discovery (MSD) assays, the gene and protein expression of TNFα and IFNγ in the spleen, upper thoracic (T4-9) and lumbosacral (L5-S6) spinal cords were analyzed. Results We found that spleen atrophy occurs in a biphasic manner compared to naïve controls, with significant decreases in the spleen mass noted at 3 days and 8 weeks after injury. Splenic TNFα mRNA and protein levels did not change significantly over time, while IFNγ gene expression dipped acutely with trends for increased protein levels at more chronic time points. TNFα protein increased significantly only in thoracic spinal cord segments from 3 to 14 days post-injury. IFNγ mRNA and protein levels remained unelevated in injured spinal cords over time, with trends for increased protein levels at 2 and 8 weeks in the lumbosacral segments. Discussion Novel temporal-spatial cytokine expression profiles reveal that TNFα protein levels are increased solely in upper thoracic segments after high thoracic SCI, while IFNγ remains unaltered. Splenic leukopenia and latent systemic immunosuppression are not associated with altered TNFα or IFNγ expression in the spleen or spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia M Michael
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
- Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC); University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
| | - Samir P Patel
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
- Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC); University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
| | - Adam D Bachstetter
- Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC); University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
| | - Alexander G Rabchevsky
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
- Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC); University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40536-0509, USA
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3
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Wulf MJ, Tom VJ. Consequences of spinal cord injury on the sympathetic nervous system. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:999253. [PMID: 36925966 PMCID: PMC10011113 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.999253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) damages multiple structures at the lesion site, including ascending, descending, and propriospinal axons; interrupting the conduction of information up and down the spinal cord. Additionally, axons associated with the autonomic nervous system that control involuntary physiological functions course through the spinal cord. Moreover, sympathetic, and parasympathetic preganglionic neurons reside in the spinal cord. Thus, depending on the level of an SCI, autonomic function can be greatly impacted by the trauma resulting in dysfunction of various organs. For example, SCI can lead to dysregulation of a variety of organs, such as the pineal gland, the heart and vasculature, lungs, spleen, kidneys, and bladder. Indeed, it is becoming more apparent that many disorders that negatively affect quality-of-life for SCI individuals have a basis in dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous system. Here, we will review how SCI impacts the sympathetic nervous system and how that negatively impacts target organs that receive sympathetic innervation. A deeper understanding of this may offer potential therapeutic insight into how to improve health and quality-of-life for those living with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariah J Wulf
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Veronica J Tom
- Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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4
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Wilson JR, Doty S, Petitt JC, El-Abtah M, Francis JJ, Sharpe MG, Kelly ML, Anderson KD. Feasibility of gabapentin as an intervention for neurorecovery after an acute spinal cord injury: Protocol. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1033386. [PMID: 36419530 PMCID: PMC9676350 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1033386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction This protocol is describing the first ever prospective, mock-efficacy, dose exploration trial design testing the feasibility of administering gabapentin in the acute setting as an intervention for neurorecovery. Gabapentin is an FDA-approved medication for treating seizures and postherpetic neuralgia and is used broadly off-label for neuropathic pain management for many conditions, including spinal cord injury. Emerging data suggests that when given early after spinal cord injury onset and in low-medium doses, gabapentin may have properties that promote recovery of neurological function. The objective of this trial is to assess the feasibility of conducting an efficacy trial in which gabapentin is started early after injury, is restricted in its dose, and is not used for pain management. Methods and analysis Forty-two people aged 18 years or older with any level and any severity of spinal cord injury induced by a trauma will be enrolled, randomized, and have the first dose of study medication by 120 h post-injury onset. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: 600, 1,800 mg/day gabapentin, or placebo. Study medication will be given for a 90-day duration. Blinded assessments will be obtained at 7 days post-injury (baseline), 30 days post-injury (interim), after the 90-day treatment duration/approximately 3 months post-injury (end of treatment), and at 6 months post-injury (end of study). The key analysis parameters will evaluate feasibility of recruitment of target population, delivery of drug treatment protocol, maintenance of blinding, and retention of participants. Discussion Outputs from this trial will inform research and clinical practice on the effects of manipulating gabapentin for non-pain management purposes in the acute setting and will guide the development of a properly powered efficacy trial of gabapentin as an intervention for neurorecovery in spinal cord injury. Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by the MetroHealth Institutional Review Board (IRB21-00609) and registered at clinicaltrials.gov prior to enrolling any participants. Dissemination will include peer-reviewed publications, presentations at professional conferences and in the community, and through other healthcare and public venues. Clinical trial registration www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT05302999; protocol version 1.1 approved 05/23/2022. Trial funding National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Wilson
- MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute, MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Samuel Doty
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Jordan C. Petitt
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Mohamed El-Abtah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - John J. Francis
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Megan G. Sharpe
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Michael L. Kelly
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- MetroHealth Medical Center, MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Kim D. Anderson
- MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute, MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Kim D. Anderson
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Abstract
This review provides a concise outline of the advances made in the care of patients and to the quality of life after a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) over the last century. Despite these improvements reversal of the neurological injury is not yet possible. Instead, current treatment is limited to providing symptomatic relief, avoiding secondary insults and preventing additional sequelae. However, with an ever-advancing technology and deeper understanding of the damaged spinal cord, this appears increasingly conceivable. A brief synopsis of the most prominent challenges facing both clinicians and research scientists in developing functional treatments for a progressively complex injury are presented. Moreover, the multiple mechanisms by which damage propagates many months after the original injury requires a multifaceted approach to ameliorate the human spinal cord. We discuss potential methods to protect the spinal cord from damage, and to manipulate the inherent inhibition of the spinal cord to regeneration and repair. Although acute and chronic SCI share common final pathways resulting in cell death and neurological deficits, the underlying putative mechanisms of chronic SCI and the treatments are not covered in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Stokes
- Spinal Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK
| | - Martin Drozda
- Spinal Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK
| | - Christopher Lee
- Spinal Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, Hull Royal Infirmary, Hull, UK
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Zhang XM, Zeng LN, Yang WY, Ding L, Chen KZ, Fu WJ, Zeng SQ, Liang YR, Chen GH, Wu HF. Inhibition of LncRNA Vof-16 expression promotes nerve regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:217-227. [PMID: 34100459 PMCID: PMC8451561 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.314322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous RNA sequencing study showed that the long non-coding RNA ischemia-related factor Vof-16 (lncRNA Vof-16) was upregulated after spinal cord injury, but its precise role in spinal cord injury remains unclear. Bioinformatics predictions have indicated that lncRNA Vof-16 may participate in the pathophysiological processes of inflammation and apoptosis. PC12 cells were transfected with a pHBLV-U6-MCS-CMV-ZsGreen-PGK-PURO vector to express an lncRNA Vof-16 knockdown lentivirus and a pHLV-CMVIE-ZsGree-Puro vector to express an lncRNA Vof-16 overexpression lentivirus. The overexpression of lncRNA Vof-16 inhibited PC12 cell survival, proliferation, migration, and neurite extension, whereas lncRNA Vof-16 knockdown lentiviral vector resulted in the opposite effects in PC12 cells. Western blot assay results showed that the overexpression of lncRNA Vof-16 increased the protein expression levels of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and Caspase-3 and decreased Bcl-2 expression levels in PC12 cells. Furthermore, we established rat models of spinal cord injury using the complete transection at T10. Spinal cord injury model rats were injected with the lncRNA Vof-16 knockdown or overexpression lentiviral vectors immediately after injury. At 7 days after spinal cord injury, rats treated with lncRNA Vof-16 knockdown displayed increased neuronal survival and enhanced axonal extension. At 8 weeks after spinal cord injury, rats treated with the lncRNA Vof-16 knockdown lentiviral vector displayed improved neurological function in the hind limb. Notably, lncRNA Vof-16 knockdown injection increased Bcl-2 expression and decreased tumor necrosis factor-α and Caspase-3 expression in treated animals. Rats treated with the lncRNA Vof-16 overexpression lentiviral vector displayed opposite trends. These findings suggested that lncRNA Vof-16 is associated with the regulation of inflammation and apoptosis. The inhibition of lncRNA Vof-16 may be useful for promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury. The experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Guangdong Medical University, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Min Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Li-Ni Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan; Biology Research Group, Guangzheng Experimental School, Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wan-Yong Yang
- Geriatric Medicine Center, Dongguan Waterfront Zone Central Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lu Ding
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan; Scientific Research Center, the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Kang-Zhen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wen-Jin Fu
- Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Houjie Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Si-Quan Zeng
- Geriatric Medicine Center, Dongguan Waterfront Zone Central Hospital, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yin-Ru Liang
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Gan-Hai Chen
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Affiliated Houjie Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hong-Fu Wu
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China
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7
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Peripheral Immune Dysfunction: A Problem of Central Importance after Spinal Cord Injury. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10090928. [PMID: 34571804 PMCID: PMC8470244 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Spinal cord injury can result in an increased vulnerability to infections, but until recently the biological mechanisms behind this observation were not well defined. Immunosuppression and concurrent sustained peripheral inflammation after spinal cord injury have been observed in preclinical and clinical studies, now termed spinal cord injury-induced immune depression syndrome. Recent research indicates a key instigator of this immune dysfunction is altered sympathetic input to lymphoid organs, such as the spleen, resulting in a wide array of secondary effects that can, in turn, exacerbate immune pathology. In this review, we discuss what we know about immune dysfunction after spinal cord injury, why it occurs, and how we might treat it. Abstract Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) exhibit increased susceptibility to infection, with pneumonia consistently ranking as a leading cause of death. Despite this statistic, chronic inflammation and concurrent immune suppression have only recently begun to be explored mechanistically. Investigators have now identified numerous changes that occur in the peripheral immune system post-SCI, including splenic atrophy, reduced circulating lymphocytes, and impaired lymphocyte function. These effects stem from maladaptive changes in the spinal cord after injury, including plasticity within the spinal sympathetic reflex circuit that results in exaggerated sympathetic output in response to peripheral stimulation below injury level. Such pathological activity is particularly evident after a severe high-level injury above thoracic spinal cord segment 6, greatly increasing the risk of the development of sympathetic hyperreflexia and subsequent disrupted regulation of lymphoid organs. Encouragingly, studies have presented evidence for promising therapies, such as modulation of neuroimmune activity, to improve regulation of peripheral immune function. In this review, we summarize recent publications examining (1) how various immune functions and populations are affected, (2) mechanisms behind SCI-induced immune dysfunction, and (3) potential interventions to improve SCI individuals’ immunological function to strengthen resistance to potentially deadly infections.
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8
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Goins A, Patel K, Alles SRA. The gabapentinoid drugs and their abuse potential. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 227:107926. [PMID: 34171338 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The gabapentinoid drugs, gabapentin and pregabalin, are first-line treatments for neuropathic pain. The epidemics of chronic pain and opioid misuse have given rise to the widespread use of non-opioid drugs such as the gabapentinoids for treatment. Unfortunately, the widespread use of gabapentinoid drugs has resulted in reports of misuse and abuse. Here we summarize the clinical reports of gabapentinoid abuse in different patient populations to help inform clinical practice of chronic pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleyah Goins
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Keisha Patel
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Sascha R A Alles
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
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Pizzolato C, Gunduz MA, Palipana D, Wu J, Grant G, Hall S, Dennison R, Zafonte RD, Lloyd DG, Teng YD. Non-invasive approaches to functional recovery after spinal cord injury: Therapeutic targets and multimodal device interventions. Exp Neurol 2021; 339:113612. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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10
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Ueno M. Restoring neuro-immune circuitry after brain and spinal cord injuries. Int Immunol 2021; 33:311-325. [PMID: 33851981 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxab017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuro-immune interactions are essential for our body's defense and homeostasis. Anatomical and physiological analyses have shown that the nervous system comprises multiple pathways that regulate the dynamics and functions of immune cells, which are mainly mediated by the autonomic nervous system and adrenal signals. These are disturbed when the neurons and circuits are damaged by diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Injuries caused by stroke or trauma often cause immune dysfunction by abrogation of the immune-regulating neural pathways, which leads to an increased risk of infections. Here, I review the structures and functions of the neural pathways connecting the brain and the immune system, and the neurogenic mechanisms of immune dysfunction that emerge after CNS injuries. Recent technological advances in manipulating specific neural circuits have added mechanistic aspects of neuro-immune interactions and their dysfunctions. Understanding the neural bases of immune control and their pathological processes will deepen our knowledge of homeostasis and lead to the development of strategies to cure immune deficiencies observed in various CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Ueno
- Department of System Pathology for Neurological Disorders, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
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11
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Brennan FH, Noble BT, Wang Y, Guan Z, Davis H, Mo X, Harris C, Eroglu C, Ferguson AR, Popovich PG. Acute post-injury blockade of α2δ-1 calcium channel subunits prevents pathological autonomic plasticity after spinal cord injury. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108667. [PMID: 33503436 PMCID: PMC8817229 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
After spinal cord injury (SCI), normally innocuous visceral or somatic stimuli can trigger uncontrolled reflex activation of sympathetic circuitry, causing pathological dysautonomia. We show that remarkable structural remodeling and plasticity occur within spinal autonomic circuitry, creating abnormal sympathetic reflexes that promote dysautonomia. However, when mice are treated early after SCI with human-equivalent doses of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug gabapentin (GBP), it is possible to block multi-segmental excitatory synaptogenesis and abolish sprouting of autonomic neurons that innervate immune organs and sensory afferents that trigger pain and autonomic dysreflexia (AD). This “prophylactic GBP” regimen decreases the frequency and severity of AD and protects against SCI-induced immune suppression. These benefits persist even 1 month after stopping treatment. GBP could be repurposed to prevent dysautonomia in at-risk individuals with high-level SCI. Brennan et al. show that α2δ−1 calcium channel subunits drive remarkable structural reorganization of autonomic circuitry and autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury. Early (prophylactic) post-injury treatment with gabapentin, an FDA-approved drug, prevents α2δ−1-dependent structural changes and autonomic dysfunction. Prophylactic gabapentin could be repurposed clinically for at-risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith H Brennan
- Department of Neuroscience, Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Benjamin T Noble
- Department of Neuroscience, Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Zhen Guan
- Department of Neuroscience, Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Hayes Davis
- Department of Neuroscience, Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Xiaokui Mo
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Clay Harris
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, and Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Adam R Ferguson
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC), Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA 94142, USA; San Francisco Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (SFVAHCS), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Phillip G Popovich
- Department of Neuroscience, Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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12
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Yao Q, Guan J, Ma L, Cheng L, Duan F, Xu F, Zhao W, Duan W, Wu H, Chen Z, Jian F. Wireless Epidural Electrical Stimulation in Combination With Serotonin Agonists Improves Intraspinal Metabolism in Spinal Cord Injury Rats. Neuromodulation 2020; 24:416-426. [PMID: 33377590 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The combination of epidural electrical stimulation (EES) and serotonin agonists (5-HTA) effectively restores rhythmic lower-limb movements and improves intraspinal hemodynamics after spinal cord injury (SCI). Nonetheless, whether EES + 5-HTA improves intraspinal metabolism remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of EES + 5-HTA on intraspinal metabolism in SCI rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wireless EES (WEES) implantation with complete T8 transection was performed in SCI rats. Electrodes were placed at the T12 and L2 vertebral levels. After rest for a week, the SCI rats received 11 weeks of WEES + 5-HTA treatment and treadmill training. WEES was switched off after each daily training. Locomotor function was evaluated by motion capture at week 12. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography was conducted to evaluate basal metabolism when WEES was switched off and assess task metabolism when WEES was switched on. RESULTS With locomotor recovery after training for 11 weeks, WEES + 5-HTA conjointly improved basal metabolism (vs. each intervention alone; p < 0.05) and linearly modulated task metabolism in a frequency-dependent manner (R2 = 0.8901). Furthermore, 60 Hz of WEES was identified as the threshold for the extensive activation of the spinal cord's task metabolism below the transection plane (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS WEES + 5-HTA could conjointly restore basal metabolism to a healthy level and modulate task metabolism by adjusting the stimulation frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyu Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Research Center of Spine and Spinal Cord, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Guan
- Department of Neurosurgery, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Research Center of Spine and Spinal Cord, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Longbing Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Research Center of Spine and Spinal Cord, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- Department of Neurosurgery, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Research Center of Spine and Spinal Cord, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Duan
- College of Artificial Intelligence, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fu Xu
- School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Wang Zhao
- Department of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Wanru Duan
- Department of Neurosurgery, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Research Center of Spine and Spinal Cord, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Research Center of Spine and Spinal Cord, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Research Center of Spine and Spinal Cord, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fengzeng Jian
- Department of Neurosurgery, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Research Center of Spine and Spinal Cord, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Lab of Spinal Cord Injury and Functional Reconstruction, China International Neuroscience Institute (CHINA-INI), Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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13
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Oliveira RAAD, Baptista AF, Sá KN, Barbosa LM, Nascimento OJMD, Listik C, Moisset X, Teixeira MJ, Andrade DCD. Pharmacological treatment of central neuropathic pain: consensus of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2020; 78:741-752. [DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x20200166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: Central neuropathic pain (CNP) is often refractory to available therapeutic strategies and there are few evidence-based treatment options. Many patients with neuropathic pain are not diagnosed or treated properly. Thus, consensus-based recommendations, adapted to the available drugs in the country, are necessary to guide clinical decisions. Objective: To develop recommendations for the treatment of CNP in Brazil. Methods: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and specialists opinions considering efficacy, adverse events profile, cost, and drug availability in public health. Results: Forty-four studies on CNP treatment were found, 20 were included in the qualitative analysis, and 15 in the quantitative analysis. Medications were classified as first-, second-, and third-line treatment based on systematic review, meta-analysis, and expert opinion. As first-line treatment, gabapentin, duloxetine, and tricyclic antidepressants were included. As second-line, venlafaxine, pregabalin for CND secondary to spinal cord injury, lamotrigine for CNP after stroke, and, in association with first-line drugs, weak opioids, in particular tramadol. For refractory patients, strong opioids (methadone and oxycodone), cannabidiol/delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, were classified as third-line of treatment, in combination with first or second-line drugs and, for central nervous system (CNS) in multiple sclerosis, dronabinol. Conclusions: Studies that address the treatment of CNS are scarce and heterogeneous, and a significant part of the recommendations is based on experts opinions. The CNP approach must be individualized, taking into account the availability of medication, the profile of adverse effects, including addiction risk, and patients' comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Ciampi de Andrade
- Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil; Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, Brazil; Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil
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