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Sayed Ahmad AM, Skiadopoulos A, Knikou M. Interactions between arm and leg neuronal circuits following paired cervical and lumbosacral transspinal stimulation in healthy humans. Exp Brain Res 2024; 242:2229-2239. [PMID: 39034329 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-024-06891-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Transspinal (or transcutaneous spinal cord) stimulation is a promising noninvasive method that may strengthen the intrinsic spinal neural connectivity in neurological disorders. In this study we assessed the effects of cervical transspinal stimulation on the amplitude of leg transspinal evoked potentials (TEPs), and the effects of lumbosacral transspinal stimulation on the amplitude of arm TEPs. Control TEPs were recorded following transspinal stimulation with one cathode electrode placed either on Cervical 3 (21.3 ± 1.7 mA) or Thoracic 10 (23.6 ± 16.5 mA) vertebrae levels. Associated anodes were placed bilaterally on clavicles or iliac crests. Cervical transspinal conditioning stimulation produced short latency inhibition of TEPs recorded from left soleus (ranging from - 6.11 to -3.87% of control TEP at C-T intervals of -50, -25, -20, -15, -10, 15 ms), right semitendinosus (ranging from - 11.1 to -4.55% of control TEP at C-T intervals of -20, -15, 15 ms), and right vastus lateralis (ranging from - 13.3 to -8.44% of control TEP at C-T intervals of -20 and - 15 ms) (p < 0.05). Lumbosacral transspinal conditioning stimulation produced no significant effects on arm TEPs. We conclude that in the resting state, cervical transspinal stimulation affects the net motor output of leg motoneurons under the experimental conditions used in this study. Further investigations are warranted to determine whether this protocol may reactivate local spinal circuitry after stroke or spinal cord injury and may have a significant effect in synchronization of upper and lower limb muscle synergies during rhythmic activities like locomotion or cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah M Sayed Ahmad
- Klab4Recovery Research Program (aka Knikou Lab), The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, 2800 Victory Blvd, 5N-207, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA
| | - Andreas Skiadopoulos
- Klab4Recovery Research Program (aka Knikou Lab), The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, 2800 Victory Blvd, 5N-207, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Program (aka Knikou Lab), The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, 2800 Victory Blvd, 5N-207, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA.
- Biology PhD Program, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 5th Ave, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
- Collaborative Neuroscience Program, College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd, 5N-207, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA.
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Mahan EE, Oh J, Chase EDZ, Dunkelberger NB, King ST, Sayenko D, O'Malley MK. Assessing the Effect of Cervical Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation With an Upper Limb Robotic Exoskeleton and Surface Electromyography. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2024; 32:2883-2892. [PMID: 39088505 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2024.3436583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) is a promising rehabilitative intervention to restore motor function and coordination for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The effects of TSS are most commonly assessed by evaluating muscle response to stimulation using surface electromyography (sEMG). Given the increasing use of robotic devices to deliver therapy and the emerging potential of hybrid rehabilitation interventions that combine neuromodulation with robotic devices, there is an opportunity to leverage the on-board sensors of the robots to measure kinematic and torque changes of joints in the presence of stimulation. This paper explores the potential for robotic assessment of the effects of TSS delivered to the cervical spinal cord. We used a four degree-of-freedom exoskeleton to measure the torque response of upper limb (UL) joints during stimulation, while simultaneously recording sEMG. We analyzed joint torque and electromyography data generated during TSS delivered over individual sites of the cervical spinal cord in neurologically intact participants. We show that site-specific effects of TSS are manifested not only by modulation of the amplitude of spinally evoked motor potentials in UL muscles, but also by changes in torque generated by individual UL joints. We observed preferential resultant action of proximal muscles and joints with stimulation at the rostral site, and of proximal joints with rostral-lateral stimulation. Robotic assessment can be used to measure the effects of TSS, and could be integrated into complex control algorithms that govern the behavior of hybrid neuromodulation-robotic systems.
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Gelenitis K, Santamaria A, Pradarelli J, Rieger M, Inanici F, Tefertiller C, Field-Fote E, Guest J, Suggitt J, Turner A, D'Amico JM, Moritz C. Non-invasive Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Programming Recommendations for the Treatment of Upper Extremity Impairment in Tetraplegia. Neuromodulation 2024:S1094-7159(24)00111-9. [PMID: 38958629 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2024.05.005] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study analyzes the stimulation parameters implemented during two successful trials that used non-invasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) to effectively improve upper extremity function after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). It proposes a framework to guide stimulation programming decisions for the successful translation of these techniques into the clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS Programming data from 60 participants who completed the Up-LIFT trial and from 17 participants who subsequently completed the LIFT Home trial were analyzed. All observations of stimulation amplitudes, frequencies, waveforms, and electrode configurations were examined. The incidence of adverse events and relatedness to stimulation parameters is reported. A comparison of parameter usage across the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) subgroups was conducted to evaluate stimulation strategies across participants with varying degrees of sensorimotor preservation. RESULTS Active (cathodal) electrodes were typically placed between the C3/C4 and C6/C7 spinous processes. Most sessions featured return (anodal) electrodes positioned bilaterally over the anterior superior iliac spine, although clavicular placement was frequently used by 12 participants. Stimulation was delivered with a 10-kHz carrier frequency and typically a 30-Hz burst frequency. Biphasic waveforms were used in 83% of sessions. Average stimulation amplitudes were higher for biphasic waveforms. The AIS B subgroup required significantly higher amplitudes than did the AIS C and D subgroups. Device-related adverse events were infrequent, and not correlated with specific waveforms or amplitudes. Within the home setting, participants maintained their current amplitudes within 1% of the preset values. The suggested stimulation programming framework dictates the following hierarchical order of parameter adjustments: current amplitude, waveform type, active/return electrode positioning, and burst frequency, guided by clinical observations as required. CONCLUSIONS This analysis summarizes effective stimulation parameters from the trials and provides a decision-making framework for clinical implementation of tSCS for upper extremity functional restoration after SCI. The parameters are aligned with existing literature and proved safe and well tolerated by participants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Fatma Inanici
- Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Center for Neurotechnology, University of Washington. Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Edelle Field-Fote
- Shepherd Center, Crawford Research Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - James Guest
- Neurological Surgery and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Jessica M D'Amico
- ONWARD Medical, Lausanne, Switzerland; Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Alberta Health Services. Edmonton, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Alberta. Edmonton, Canada
| | - Chet Moritz
- Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Center for Neurotechnology, University of Washington. Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington. Seattle, WA, USA.
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Parhizi B, Barss TS, Dineros AM, Sivadasan G, Mann D, Mushahwar VK. Bimanual coordination and spinal cord neuromodulation: how neural substrates of bimanual movements are altered by transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2024; 21:103. [PMID: 38890742 PMCID: PMC11184732 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01395-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Humans use their arms in complex ways that often demand two-handed coordination. Neurological conditions limit this impressive feature of the human motor system. Understanding how neuromodulatory techniques may alter neural mechanisms of bimanual coordination is a vital step towards designing efficient rehabilitation interventions. By non-invasively activating the spinal cord, transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) promotes recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury. A multitude of research studies have attempted to capture the underlying neural mechanisms of these effects using a variety of electrophysiological tools, but the influence of tSCS on cortical rhythms recorded via electroencephalography remains poorly understood, especially during bimanual actions. We recruited 12 neurologically intact participants to investigate the effect of cervical tSCS on sensorimotor cortical oscillations. We examined changes in the movement kinematics during the application of tSCS as well as the cortical activation level and interhemispheric connectivity during the execution of unimanual and bimanual arm reaching movements that represent activities of daily life. Behavioral assessment of the movements showed improvement of movement time and error during a bimanual common-goal movement when tSCS was delivered, but no difference was found in the performance of unimanual and bimanual dual-goal movements with the application of tSCS. In the alpha band, spectral power was modulated with tSCS in the direction of synchronization in the primary motor cortex during unimanual and bimanual dual-goal movements and in the somatosensory cortex during unimanual movements. In the beta band, tSCS significantly increased spectral power in the primary motor and somatosensory cortices during the performance of bimanual common-goal and unimanual movements. A significant increase in interhemispheric connectivity in the primary motor cortex in the alpha band was only observed during unimanual tasks in the presence of tSCS. Our observations provide, for the first time, information regarding the supra-spinal effects of tSCS as a neuromodulatory technique applied to the spinal cord during the execution of bi- and unimanual arm movements. They also corroborate the suppressive effect of tSCS at the cortical level reported in previous studies. These findings may guide the design of improved rehabilitation interventions using tSCS for the recovery of upper-limb function in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behdad Parhizi
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Trevor S Barss
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Alphonso Martin Dineros
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Gokul Sivadasan
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Darren Mann
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Vivian K Mushahwar
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Institute for Smart Augmentative and Restorative Technologies and Health Innovation (iSMART), University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2E1, Canada.
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Malik RN, Samejima S, Shackleton C, Miller T, Pedrocchi ALG, Rabchevsky AG, Moritz CT, Darrow D, Field-Fote EC, Guanziroli E, Ambrosini E, Molteni F, Gad P, Mushahwar VK, Sachdeva R, Krassioukov AV. REPORT-SCS: minimum reporting standards for spinal cord stimulation studies in spinal cord injury. J Neural Eng 2024; 21:016019. [PMID: 38271712 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ad2290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Objective.Electrical spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has emerged as a promising therapy for recovery of motor and autonomic dysfunctions following spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite the rise in studies using SCS for SCI complications, there are no standard guidelines for reporting SCS parameters in research publications, making it challenging to compare, interpret or reproduce reported effects across experimental studies.Approach.To develop guidelines for minimum reporting standards for SCS parameters in pre-clinical and clinical SCI research, we gathered an international panel of expert clinicians and scientists. Using a Delphi approach, we developed guideline items and surveyed the panel on their level of agreement for each item.Main results.There was strong agreement on 26 of the 29 items identified for establishing minimum reporting standards for SCS studies. The guidelines encompass three major SCS categories: hardware, configuration and current parameters, and the intervention.Significance.Standardized reporting of stimulation parameters will ensure that SCS studies can be easily analyzed, replicated, and interpreted by the scientific community, thereby expanding the SCS knowledge base and fostering transparency in reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raza N Malik
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Soshi Samejima
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Claire Shackleton
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tiev Miller
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alessandra Laura Giulia Pedrocchi
- Nearlab, Department di Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, and We-Cobot Laboratory, Polo Territoriale di Lecco, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alexander G Rabchevsky
- Spinal Cord & Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States of America
| | - Chet T Moritz
- Departments of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Physiology & Biophysics, and the Center for Neurotechnology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - David Darrow
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Edelle C Field-Fote
- Shepherd Center, Crawford Research Institute, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Physical Therapy, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences, Program in Applied Physiology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Eleonora Guanziroli
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital, Costa Masnaga, Lecco, Italy
| | - Emilia Ambrosini
- Nearlab, Department di Electronics, Information and Bioengineering, and We-Cobot Laboratory, Polo Territoriale di Lecco, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Franco Molteni
- Villa Beretta Rehabilitation Center, Valduce Hospital, Costa Masnaga, Lecco, Italy
| | - Parag Gad
- SpineX Inc., Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - Vivian K Mushahwar
- Department of Medicine and Sensory Motor Adaptive Rehabilitation Technology (SMART) Network, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rahul Sachdeva
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Andrei V Krassioukov
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Spinal Cord Research Program, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Oh J, Scheffler MS, Martin CA, Dinh J, Sheynin J, Steele AG, Sayenko DG. Characterizing neurological status in individuals with tetraplegia using transcutaneous spinal stimulation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21522. [PMID: 38057398 PMCID: PMC10700352 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48811-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) is emerging as a valuable tool for electrophysiological and clinical assessment. This study had the objective of examining the recruitment patterns of upper limb (UL) motor pools through the delivery of TSS above and below a spinal lesion. It also aimed to explore the connection between the recruitment pattern of UL motor pools and the neurological and functional status following spinal cord injury (SCI). In eight participants with tetraplegia due to cervical SCI, TSS was delivered to the cervical spinal cord between the spinous processes of C3-C4 and C7-T1 vertebrae, and spinally evoked motor potentials in UL muscles were characterized. We found that responses observed in UL muscles innervated by motor pools below the level of injury demonstrated relatively reduced sensitivity to TSS compared to those above the lesion, were asymmetrical in the majority of muscles, and were dependent on the level, extent, and side of SCI. Overall, our findings indicate that electrophysiological data acquired through TSS can offer insights into the extent of UL functional asymmetry, disruptions in neural pathways, and changes in motor control following SCI. This study suggests that such electrophysiological data can supplement clinical and functional assessment and provide further insight regarding residual motor function in individuals with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeonghoon Oh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Michelle S Scheffler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Catherine A Martin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jenny Dinh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Jony Sheynin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander G Steele
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Dimitry G Sayenko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neural Prosthetics and Interfaces, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Oh J, Scheffler MS, Martin CA, Dinh J, Sheynin J, Steele AG, Sayenko DG. Transcutaneous spinal stimulation provides characterization of neurological status in individuals with tetraplegia. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3513515. [PMID: 37986790 PMCID: PMC10659561 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3513515/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) is emerging as a valuable tool for electrophysiological and clinical assessment. This study had the objective of examining the recruitment patterns of upper limb (UL) motor pools through the delivery of TSS above and below a spinal lesion. It also aimed to explore the connection between the recruitment pattern of UL motor pools and the neurological and functional status following spinal cord injury (SCI). In eight participants with tetraplegia due to cervical SCI, TSS was delivered to the cervical spinal cord between the spinous processes of C3-C4 and C7-T1 vertebrae, and spinally evoked motor potentials in UL muscles were characterized. We found that responses observed in UL muscles innervated by motor pools below the level of injury demonstrated relatively reduced sensitivity to TSS compared to those above the lesion, were asymmetrical in the majority of muscles, and were dependent on the level, extent, and side of SCI. Overall, our findings indicate that electrophysiological data acquired through TSS can offer insights into the extent of UL functional asymmetry, disruptions in neural pathways, and changes in motor control following SCI. This study suggests that such electrophysiological data can supplement clinical and functional assessment and provide further insight regarding residual motor function in individuals with SCI.
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Bryson N, Lombardi L, Hawthorn R, Fei J, Keesey R, Peiffer J, Seáñez I. Enhanced selectivity of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation by multielectrode configuration. J Neural Eng 2023; 20:10.1088/1741-2552/ace552. [PMID: 37419109 PMCID: PMC10481387 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/ace552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Objective.Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has been gaining momentum as a non-invasive rehabilitation approach to restore movement to paralyzed muscles after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, its low selectivity limits the types of movements that can be enabled and, thus, its potential applications in rehabilitation.Approach.In this cross-over study design, we investigated whether muscle recruitment selectivity of individual muscles could be enhanced by multielectrode configurations of tSCS in 16 neurologically intact individuals. We hypothesized that due to the segmental innervation of lower limb muscles, we could identify muscle-specific optimal stimulation locations that would enable improved recruitment selectivity over conventional tSCS. We elicited leg muscle responses by delivering biphasic pulses of electrical stimulation to the lumbosacral enlargement using conventional and multielectrode tSCS.Results.Analysis of recruitment curve responses confirmed that multielectrode configurations could improve the rostrocaudal and lateral selectivity of tSCS. To investigate whether motor responses elicited by spatially selective tSCS were mediated by posterior root-muscle reflexes, each stimulation event was a paired pulse with a conditioning-test interval of 33.3 ms. Muscle responses to the second stimulation pulse were significantly suppressed, a characteristic of post-activation depression suggesting that spatially selective tSCS recruits proprioceptive fibers that reflexively activate muscle-specific motor neurons in the spinal cord. Moreover, the combination of leg muscle recruitment probability and segmental innervation maps revealed a stereotypical spinal activation map in congruence with each electrode's position.Significance. Improvements in muscle recruitment selectivity could be essential for the effective translation into stimulation protocols that selectively enhance single-joint movements in neurorehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Bryson
- Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis
- Division of Neurotechnology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
| | - Lorenzo Lombardi
- Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis
- Division of Neurotechnology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
| | - Rachel Hawthorn
- Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis
- Division of Neurotechnology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
| | - Jie Fei
- Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis
- Division of Neurotechnology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
| | - Rodolfo Keesey
- Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis
- Division of Neurotechnology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
| | - J.D. Peiffer
- Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis
- Division of Neurotechnology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
- Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University
| | - Ismael Seáñez
- Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis
- Division of Neurotechnology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
- Neurosurgery, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
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Chandrasekaran S, Bhagat NA, Ramdeo R, Ebrahimi S, Sharma PD, Griffin DG, Stein A, Harkema SJ, Bouton CE. Case study: persistent recovery of hand movement and tactile sensation in peripheral nerve injury using targeted transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1210544. [PMID: 37529233 PMCID: PMC10390294 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1210544] [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] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injury can lead to chronic pain, paralysis, and loss of sensation, severely affecting quality of life. Spinal cord stimulation has been used in the clinic to provide pain relief arising from peripheral nerve injuries, however, its ability to restore function after peripheral nerve injury have not been explored. Neuromodulation of the spinal cord through transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS), when paired with activity-based training, has shown promising results towards restoring volitional limb control in people with spinal cord injury. We show, for the first time, the effectiveness of targeted tSCS in restoring strength (407% increase from 1.79 ± 1.24 N to up to 7.3 ± 0.93 N) and significantly increasing hand dexterity in an individual with paralysis due to a peripheral nerve injury (PNI). Furthermore, this is the first study to document a persisting 3-point improvement during clinical assessment of tactile sensation in peripheral injury after receiving 6 weeks of tSCS. Lastly, the motor and sensory gains persisted for several months after stimulation was received, suggesting tSCS may lead to long-lasting benefits, even in PNI. Non-invasive spinal cord stimulation shows tremendous promise as a safe and effective therapeutic approach with broad applications in functional recovery after debilitating injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Chandrasekaran
- Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Nikunj A. Bhagat
- Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Richard Ramdeo
- Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Sadegh Ebrahimi
- Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Pawan D. Sharma
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Doug G. Griffin
- Northwell Health STARS Rehabilitation, East Meadow, NY, United States
| | - Adam Stein
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Susan J. Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
- Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Chad E. Bouton
- Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
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Chandrasekaran S, Bhagat NA, Ramdeo R, Ebrahimi S, Sharma PD, Griffin DG, Stein A, Harkema SJ, Bouton CE. Targeted transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation promotes persistent recovery of upper limb strength and tactile sensation in spinal cord injury: a pilot study. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1210328. [PMID: 37483349 PMCID: PMC10360050 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1210328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term recovery of limb function is a significant unmet need in people with paralysis. Neuromodulation of the spinal cord through epidural stimulation, when paired with intense activity-based training, has shown promising results toward restoring volitional limb control in people with spinal cord injury. Non-invasive neuromodulation of the cervical spinal cord using transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has shown similar improvements in upper-limb motor control rehabilitation. However, the motor and sensory rehabilitative effects of activating specific cervical spinal segments using tSCS have largely remained unexplored. We show in two individuals with motor-complete SCI that targeted stimulation of the cervical spinal cord resulted in up to a 1,136% increase in exerted force, with weekly activity-based training. Furthermore, this is the first study to document up to a 2-point improvement in clinical assessment of tactile sensation in SCI after receiving tSCS. Lastly, participant gains persisted after a one-month period void of stimulation, suggesting that targeted tSCS may lead to persistent recovery of motor and sensory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Chandrasekaran
- Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Nikunj A. Bhagat
- Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Richard Ramdeo
- Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Sadegh Ebrahimi
- Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Pawan D. Sharma
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Doug G. Griffin
- Northwell Health STARS Rehabilitation, East Meadow, NY, United States
| | - Adam Stein
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Susan J. Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
- Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Chad E. Bouton
- Neural Bypass and Brain Computer Interface Laboratory, Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
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Sharma P, Panta T, Ugiliweneza B, Bert RJ, Gerasimenko Y, Forrest G, Harkema S. Multi-Site Spinal Cord Transcutaneous Stimulation Facilitates Upper Limb Sensory and Motor Recovery in Severe Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Study. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4416. [PMID: 37445450 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12134416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) rank regaining arm and hand function as their top rehabilitation priority post-injury. Cervical spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation (scTS) combined with activity-based recovery training (ABRT) is known to effectively facilitate upper extremity sensorimotor recovery in individuals with residual arm and hand function post SCI. However, scTS effectiveness in facilitating upper extremity recovery in individuals with severe SCI with minimal to no sensory and motor preservation below injury level remains largely unknown. We herein introduced a multimodal neuro-rehabilitative approach involving scTS targeting systematically identified various spinal segments combined with ABRT. We hypothesized that multi-site scTS combined with ABRT will effectively neuromodulate the spinal networks, resulting in improved integration of ascending and descending neural information required for sensory and motor recovery in individuals with severe cervical SCI. To test the hypothesis, a 53-year-old male (C2, AIS A, 8 years post-injury) received 60 ABRT sessions combined with continuous multi-site scTS. Post-training assessments revealed improved activation of previously paralyzed upper extremity muscles and sensory improvements over the dorsal and volar aspects of the hand. Most likely, altered spinal cord excitability and improved muscle activation and sensations resulted in observed sensorimotor recovery. However, despite promising neurophysiological evidence pertaining to motor re-activation, we did not observe visually appreciable functional recovery on obtained upper extremity motor assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Sharma
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Tudor Panta
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Beatrice Ugiliweneza
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Department of Health Management and Systems Science, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Robert J Bert
- Department of Radiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Yury Gerasimenko
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Gail Forrest
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07052, USA
- Kessler Foundation, Newark, NJ 07052, USA
| | - Susan Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
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12
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Marangolo P, Vasta S, Manfredini A, Caltagirone C. What Else Can Be Done by the Spinal Cord? A Review on the Effectiveness of Transpinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS) in Stroke Recovery. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10173. [PMID: 37373323 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210173] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the spinal cord has traditionally been considered a bundle of long fibers connecting the brain to all parts of the body, the study of its role has long been limited to peripheral sensory and motor control. However, in recent years, new studies have challenged this view pointing to the spinal cord's involvement not only in the acquisition and maintenance of new motor skills but also in the modulation of motor and cognitive functions dependent on cortical motor regions. Indeed, several reports to date, which have combined neurophysiological techniques with transpinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS), have shown that tsDCS is effective in promoting local and cortical neuroplasticity changes in animals and humans through the activation of ascending corticospinal pathways that modulate the sensorimotor cortical networks. The aim of this paper is first to report the most prominent tsDCS studies on neuroplasticity and its influence at the cortical level. Then, a comprehensive review of tsDCS literature on motor improvement in animals and healthy subjects and on motor and cognitive recovery in post-stroke populations is presented. We believe that these findings might have an important impact in the future making tsDCS a potential suitable adjunctive approach for post-stroke recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Marangolo
- Department of Humanities Studies, University Federico II, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Simona Vasta
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Manfredini
- Department of Humanities Studies, University Federico II, 80133 Naples, Italy
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Bryson N, Lombardi L, Hawthorn R, Fei J, Keesey R, Peiffer JD, Seáñez I. Enhanced selectivity of transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation by multielectrode configuration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.30.534835. [PMID: 37034788 PMCID: PMC10081184 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.30.534835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Objective Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) has been gaining momentum as a non-invasive rehabilitation approach to restore movement to paralyzed muscles after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, its low selectivity limits the types of movements that can be enabled and, thus, its potential applications in rehabilitation. Approach In this cross-over study design, we investigated whether muscle recruitment selectivity of individual muscles could be enhanced by multielectrode configurations of tSCS in 16 neurologically intact individuals. We hypothesized that due to the segmental innervation of lower limb muscles, we could identify muscle-specific optimal stimulation locations that would enable improved recruitment selectivity over conventional tSCS. We elicited leg muscle responses by delivering biphasic pulses of electrical stimulation to the lumbosacral enlargement using conventional and multielectrode tSCS. Results Analysis of recruitment curve responses confirmed that multielectrode configurations could improve the rostrocaudal and lateral selectivity of tSCS. To investigate whether motor responses elicited by spatially selective tSCS were mediated by posterior root-muscle reflexes, each stimulation event was a paired pulse with a conditioning-test interval of 33.3 ms. Muscle responses to the second stimulation pulse were significantly suppressed, a characteristic of post-activation depression suggesting that spatially selective tSCS recruits proprioceptive fibers that reflexively activate muscle-specific motor neurons in the spinal cord. Moreover, the combination of leg muscle recruitment probability and segmental innervation maps revealed a stereotypical spinal activation map in congruence with each electrode's position. Significance Improvements in muscle recruitment selectivity could be essential for the effective translation into stimulation protocols that selectively enhance single-joint movements in neurorehabilitation.
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Fleming N, Taylor C, Etzelmueller M, Gill C, O’Keeffe C, Mahony N, Reilly RB. Contralateral Selectivity of Upper-Limb Motor Pools via Targeted Stimulation of the Cervical Spinal Cord. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020332. [PMID: 36830867 PMCID: PMC9952898 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020332] [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] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) at the cervical level may facilitate improved upper-limb function in those with incomplete tetraplegia. While clinical trials are ongoing, there is still much debate regarding the transmission pathway as well as appropriate stimulation parameters. This study aimed to explore the extent to which cervical tSCS can induce mono-synaptic reflexes in discrete upper-limb motor pools and examine the effects of altering stimulus location and intensity. METHODS Fourteen participants with intact nervous systems completed two laboratory visits, during which posterior root-muscle reflexes (PRMRs) were evoked via a 3 × 3 cathode matrix applied over the cervical spine. An incremental recruitment curve at the C7 vertebral level was initially performed to attain resting motor threshold (RMT) in each muscle. Paired pulses (1 ms square monophasic with inter-pulse interval of 50 ms) were subsequently delivered at a frequency of 0.25 Hz at two intensities (RMT and RMT + 20%) across all nine cathode positions. Evoked responses to the 1st (PRMR1) and 2nd (PRMR2) stimuli were recorded in four upper-limb muscles. RESULTS A significant effect of the spinal level was observed in all muscles for PRMR1, with greater responses being recorded caudally. Contralateral stimulation significantly increased PRMR1 in Biceps Brachii (p < 0.05, F = 4.9, η2 = 0.29), Flexor Carpi Radialis (p < 0.05, F = 4.9, η2 = 0.28) and Abductor Pollicis Brevis (p < 0.01, F = 8.9, η2 = 0.89). Post-activation depression (PAD) was also significantly increased with contralateral stimulation in Biceps Brachii (p = 0.001, F = 9.3, η2 = 0.44), Triceps Brachii (p < 0.05, F = 5.4, η2 = 0.31) and Flexor Carpi Radialis (p < 0.001, F = 17.4, η2 = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS A level of unilateral motor pool selectivity may be attained by altering stimulus intensity and location during cervical tSCS. Optimising these parameters may improve the efficacy of this neuromodulation method in clinical cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Fleming
- Discipline of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +353-18961412
| | - Clare Taylor
- Discipline of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark Etzelmueller
- School of Engineering, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D08 XW7X Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Gerontology School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Conor Gill
- School of Engineering, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D08 XW7X Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Gerontology School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clodagh O’Keeffe
- School of Engineering, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D08 XW7X Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Gerontology School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nicholas Mahony
- Discipline of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Richard B. Reilly
- School of Engineering, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D08 XW7X Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Gerontology School of Medicine, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
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