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Håkansson S, Tuci M, Bolliger M, Curt A, Jutzeler CR, Brüningk SC. Data-driven prediction of spinal cord injury recovery: An exploration of current status and future perspectives. Exp Neurol 2024; 380:114913. [PMID: 39097073 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114913] [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: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) presents a significant challenge in rehabilitation medicine, with recovery outcomes varying widely among individuals. Machine learning (ML) is a promising approach to enhance the prediction of recovery trajectories, but its integration into clinical practice requires a thorough understanding of its efficacy and applicability. We systematically reviewed the current literature on data-driven models of SCI recovery prediction. The included studies were evaluated based on a range of criteria assessing the approach, implementation, input data preferences, and the clinical outcomes aimed to forecast. We observe a tendency to utilize routinely acquired data, such as International Standards for Neurological Classification of SCI (ISNCSCI), imaging, and demographics, for the prediction of functional outcomes derived from the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) III and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores with a focus on motor ability. Although there has been an increasing interest in data-driven studies over time, traditional machine learning architectures, such as linear regression and tree-based approaches, remained the overwhelmingly popular choices for implementation. This implies ample opportunities for exploring architectures addressing the challenges of predicting SCI recovery, including techniques for learning from limited longitudinal data, improving generalizability, and enhancing reproducibility. We conclude with a perspective, highlighting possible future directions for data-driven SCI recovery prediction and drawing parallels to other application fields in terms of diverse data types (imaging, tabular, sequential, multimodal), data challenges (limited, missing, longitudinal data), and algorithmic needs (causal inference, robustness).
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Håkansson
- ETH Zürich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST), Zürich, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Miklovana Tuci
- ETH Zürich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST), Zürich, Switzerland; Spinal Cord Injury Center, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marc Bolliger
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, University Hospital Balgrist, University of Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Catherine R Jutzeler
- ETH Zürich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST), Zürich, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sarah C Brüningk
- ETH Zürich, Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST), Zürich, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Migliorini F, Cocconi F, Schäfer L, Simeone F, Jeyaraman M, Maffulli N. Pharmacological management of secondary chronic spinal cord injury: a systematic review. Br Med Bull 2024; 151:49-68. [PMID: 39222962 DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spinal cord injury (SCI) may bring lifelong consequences for affected patients and a high financial burden to the health care system. SOURCE OF DATA Published peer-reviewed scientific articles identified from EMBASE, Google Scholar, PubMed and Scopus. AREAS OF AGREEMENT Surgery and blood pressure management are the main targets in acute SCI to avoid secondary damage. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY The management of secondary chronic SCI is challenging, with unpredictable outcomes. GROWING POINTS Given the lack of consensus on pharmacological therapy for acute and secondary chronic SCI, the present study analyses the currently available drugs and treatment options to manage secondary chronic SCI. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH Different approaches exist for the pharmacological management of secondary chronic SCI. One of the most investigated drugs, 4-aminopyridine, improves central motor conduction and shows improvement in neurological signs. Positive results in different areas have been observed in patients receiving the anti-spastic drugs tizanidine and baclofen or Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Growth hormone showed only minimal or no significant effects, and the therapy of secondary chronic SCI with riluzole has been poorly researched to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Migliorini
- Department of Life Sciences, Health, and Health Professions, Link Campus University, Via del Casale di S. Pio V, 44, 00165 Rome, Italy
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Academic Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), via Lorenz Boelher 7, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Federico Cocconi
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Academic Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), via Lorenz Boelher 7, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Luise Schäfer
- Department of Life Sciences, Health, and Health Professions, Link Campus University, Via del Casale di S. Pio V, 44, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Simeone
- Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Academic Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), via Lorenz Boelher 7, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Madhan Jeyaraman
- Department of Orthopaedics, ACS Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Poonamallee High Rd, Velappanchavadi, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Nicola Maffulli
- Department of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome La Sapienza, via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University Faculty of Medicine, Hornbeam Building, Keele ST5 5BG, UK
- Queen Mary University of London, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, 275 Bancroft Road, E1 4DG London, UK
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Serag I, Abouzid M, Elmoghazy A, Sarhan K, Alsaad SA, Mohamed RG. An updated systematic review of neuroprotective agents in the treatment of spinal cord injury. Neurosurg Rev 2024; 47:132. [PMID: 38546884 DOI: 10.1007/s10143-024-02372-6] [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: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
This systematic review aims to summarize the findings from all clinical randomized trials assessing the efficacy of potential neuroprotective agents in influencing the outcomes of acute spinal cord injuries (SCI). Following the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted comprehensive searches in four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) up to September 5th, 2023. Our analysis included a total of 30 studies. We examined the effects of 15 substances/drugs: methylprednisolone, tirilazad mesylate, erythropoietin, nimodipine, naloxone, Sygen, Rho protein antagonist, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, autologous macrophages, autologous bone marrow cells, vitamin D, progesterone, riluzole, minocycline, and blood alcohol concentration. Notable improvements in neurological outcomes were observed with progesterone plus vitamin D and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. In contrast, results for methylprednisolone, erythropoietin, Sygen, Rho Protein, and Riluzole were inconclusive, primarily due to insufficient sample size or outdated evidence. No significant differences were found in the remaining evaluated drugs. Progesterone plus vitamin D, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, methylprednisolone, Sygen, Rho Protein, and Riluzole may enhance neurological outcomes in acute SCI cases. It is worth noting that different endpoints or additional subgroup analyses may potentially alter the conclusions of individual trials. Therefore, certain SCI grades may benefit more from these treatments than others, while the overall results may remain inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Serag
- Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Abouzid
- Department of Physical Pharmacy and Pharmacokinetics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 3 St, 60-806, Poznan, Poland.
- Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812, Poznan, Poland.
| | | | - Khalid Sarhan
- Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | - Rashad G Mohamed
- Mansoura Manchester Program for Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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4
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Grijalva-Otero I, Doncel-Pérez E. Traumatic Human Spinal Cord Injury: Are Single Treatments Enough to Solve the Problem? Arch Med Res 2024; 55:102935. [PMID: 38157747 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2023.102935] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) results in partial or complete motor deficits, such as paraplegia, tetraplegia, and sphincter control, as well as sensory disturbances and autonomic dysregulation such as arterial hypotension, lack of sweating, and alterations in skin lability. All this has a strong psychological impact on the affected person and his/her family, as well as costs to healthcare institutions with an economic burden in the short, medium, and long terms. Despite at least forty years of experimental animal studies and several clinical trials with different therapeutic strategies, effective therapy is not universally accepted. Most of the published works on acute and chronic injury use a single treatment, such as medication, trophic factor, transplant of a cell type, and so on, to block some secondary injury mechanisms or promote some mechanisms of structural/functional restoration. However, despite significant results in experimental models, the outcome is a moderate improvement in muscle strength, sensation, or eventually in sphincter control, which has been considered non-significant in human clinical trials. Here we present a brief compilation of successful individual treatments that have been applied to secondary mechanisms of action. These studies show limited neuroprotective or neurorestorative approaches in animal models and clinical trials. Thus, the few benefits achieved so far represent a rationale to further explore other strategies that seek better structural and functional restoration of the injured spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israel Grijalva-Otero
- Medical Research Unit for Neurological Diseases, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Ernesto Doncel-Pérez
- Neural Regeneration Group, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos de Toledo, Servicios de Salud de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
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Tao JW, Fan X, Zhou JY, Huo LY, Mo YJ, Bai HZ, Zhao Y, Ren JP, Mu XH, Xu L. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor effects on neurological and motor function in animals with spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1168764. [PMID: 37449274 PMCID: PMC10338098 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1168764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological injury for which no effective treatment exists. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is used to treat autologous bone marrow transplantation, chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenia, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), etc. Recent research has revealed the potential application of G-CSF on neuroprotective effectiveness. In central nervous system diseases, G-CSF can be used to alleviate neuronal injury. Objective To investigate the effects of G-CSF on Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale score, inclined plane test, electrophysiologic exam, quantitative analysis of TUNEL-positive cells, and quantitative analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining images in animal models of SCI. Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases for all articles on G-CSF intervention with animal models of SCI reported before November 2022. A total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results Results revealed that G-CSF intervention could improve the BBB scale score in both groups at 3, 7, 14, 28, and 35 days [at 35 days, weighted mean differences (WMD) = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.92-2.87, p < 0.00001, I2 = 69%]; inclined plane test score; electrophysiologic exam; quantitative analysis of TUNEL-positive cell numbers; quantitative analysis of GFAP immunostaining images in animal models of SCI. Subgroup analysis revealed that treatment with normal saline, phosphate-buffered saline, and no treatment resulted in significantly different neurological function effectiveness compared to the G-CSF therapy. SD rats and Wistar rats with SCI resulted in significant neurological function effectiveness. C57BL/6 mice showed no difference in the final effect. The T9-T10 or T10 segment injury model and the T8-T9 or T9 segment injury model resulted in significant neurological function effectiveness. The BBB score data showed no clear funnel plot asymmetry. We found no bias in the analysis result (Egger's test, p = 0.42). In our network meta-analysis, the SUCRA ranking showed that 15 mg/kg-20 mg/kg was an optimal dose for long-term efficacy. Conclusion Our meta-analysis suggests that G-CSF therapy may enhance the recovery of motor activity and have a specific neuroprotective effect in SCI animal models.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42023388315.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Wei Tao
- Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Fan
- Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
- Qingdao Municipal Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing-Ya Zhou
- Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lu-Yao Huo
- Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Jun Mo
- Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Zhong Bai
- Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Pei Ren
- Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Mu
- Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Xu
- Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing, China
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Huang H, Sanberg PR, Moviglia GA, Sharma A, Chen L, Chen D. Clinical results of neurorestorative cell therapies and therapeutic indications according to cellular bio-proprieties. Regen Ther 2023; 23:52-59. [PMID: 37122360 PMCID: PMC10130496 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2023.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapies have been explored to treat patients with nervous diseases for over 20 years. Even though most kinds of cell therapies demonstrated neurorestorative effects in non-randomized clinical trials; the effects of the majority type cells could not be confirmed by randomized controlled trials. In this review, clinical therapeutic results of neurorestorative cell therapies according to cellular bio-proprieties or cellular functions were introduced. Currently it was demonstrated from analysis of this review that some indications of cell therapies were not appropriate, they might be reasons why their neurorestorative effects could not be proved by multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Theoretically if one kind of cell therapy has neurorestorative effects according to its cellular bio-proprieties, it should have appropriate indications. The cell therapies with special bio-properties is promising if the indication selections are appropriate, such as olfactory ensheathing cells for chronic ischemic stroke, and their neurorestorative effects can be confirmed by higher level clinical trials of evidence-based medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyun Huang
- Beijing Hongtianji Neuroscience Academy, Beijing 100143, China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Paul R. Sanberg
- Center of Excellence for Aging & Brain Repair, Department of Neurosurgery & Brain Repair, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa 33612, Florida, USA
| | | | - Alok Sharma
- Department of Neurosurgery, LTM Medical College, LTMG Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Di Chen
- Beijing Hongtianji Neuroscience Academy, Beijing 100143, China
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7
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Huang H, Sharma HS, Saberi H, Chen L, Sanberg PR, Xue M, Sharma A, Chen D, Siniscalco D, Ramón-Cueto A, Xi H, Chen L, Feng S, He X, Sun T, Li J, Guo X, Feng Y, Shen Y, Wang F, Zheng Z, Guo X, Hu J, Al Zoubi ZM. Spinal Cord Injury or Dysfunction Quality of Life Rating Scale (SCIDQLRS) (IANR 2022 version). JOURNAL OF NEURORESTORATOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnrt.2022.100016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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8
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Huang H, Al Zoubi ZM, Moviglia G, Sharma HS, Sarnowska A, Sanberg PR, Chen L, Xue Q, Siniscalco D, Feng S, Saberi H, Guo X, Xue M, Dimitrijevic MR, Andrews RJ, Mao G, Zhao RC, Han F. Clinical cell therapy guidelines for neurorestoration (IANR/CANR 2022). JOURNAL OF NEURORESTORATOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnrt.2022.100015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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9
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Huang H, Chen L, Moviglia G, Sharma A, Al Zoubi ZM, He X, Chen D. Advances and prospects of cell therapy for spinal cord injury patients. JOURNAL OF NEURORESTORATOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.26599/jnr.2022.9040007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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Stampas A, Hook M, Korupolu R, Jethani L, Kaner MT, Pemberton E, Li S, Francisco GE. Evidence of treating spasticity before it develops: a systematic review of spasticity outcomes in acute spinal cord injury interventional trials. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2022; 15:17562864211070657. [PMID: 35198042 PMCID: PMC8859674 DOI: 10.1177/17562864211070657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Spasticity is a common consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI), estimated to affect up to 93% of people living with SCI in the community. Problematic spasticity affects around 35% people with SCI spasticity. The early period after injury is believed to be the most opportune time for neural plasticity after SCI. We hypothesize that clinical interventions in the early period could reduce the incidence of spasticity. To address this, we evaluated the spasticity outcomes of clinical trials with interventions early after SCI.Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature between January 2000 and May 2021 to identify control trials, in humans and animals, that were performed early after SCI that included measures of spasticity in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.Results: Our search yielded 1,463 records of which we reviewed 852 abstracts and included 8 human trial peer-reviewed publications and 9 animal studies. The 9 animal trials largely supported the hypothesis that early intervention can reduce spasticity, including evidence from electrophysiological, behavioral, and histologic measures. Of the 8 human trials, only one study measured spasticity as a primary outcome with a sample size sufficient to test the hypothesis. In this study, neuromodulation of the spinal cord using electric stimulation of the common peroneal nerve reduced spasticity in the lower extremities compared to controls.Conclusion: Given the prevalence of problematic spasticity, there is surprisingly little research being performed in the early period of SCI that includes spasticity measures, and even fewer studies that directly address spasticity. More research on the potential for early interventions to mitigate spasticity is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Radha Korupolu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lavina Jethani
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mahmut T. Kaner
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Erinn Pemberton
- McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Gerard E. Francisco
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- TIRR Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX, USA
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Catz A, Itzkovich M, Elkayam K, Michaeli D, Gelernter I, Benjamini Y, Chhabra HS, Tesio L, Engel-Haber E, Bizzarini E, Pilati C, Popolo GD, Baroncini I, Liu N, Margalho P, Soeira TP, Chandy B, Joshi M, Lemay JF, Curran D, Leiulfsrud AS, Sørensen L, Biering-Sorensen F, Kesiktas N, Osman A, Bluvshtein V. Reliability validity and responsiveness of the spinal cord independence measure 4 th version in a multicultural setup. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2021; 103:430-440.e1. [PMID: 34687675 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2021.07.811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the fourth version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure for reliability and validity. DESIGN Partly blinded comparison with the criterion standard Spinal Cord Independence Measure III, and between examiners and examinations. SETTING A multicultural cohort from 19 spinal cord injury units in 11 countries. PARTICIPANTS Six hundred and forty-eight patients with spinal cord injury. INTERVENTION Assessment with Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM IV) and Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM III) on admission to inpatient rehabilitation and before discharge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES SCIM IV interrater reliability, internal consistency, correlation with and difference from SCIM III, and responsiveness. RESULTS Total agreement between examiners was above 80% on most SCIM IV tasks. All Kappa coefficients were above 0.70 and statistically significant (p<0.001). Pearson's coefficients of the correlation between the examiners were above 0.90, and intraclass correlation coefficients were above 0.90. Cronbach's alpha was above 0.96 for the entire SCIM IV, above 0.66 for the subscales, and usually decreased when an item was eliminated. Reliability values were lower for the subscale of respiration and sphincter management, and on admission than at discharge. SCIM IV and SCIM III mean values were very close, and the coefficients of Pearson correlation between them were 0.91-0.96 (p<0.001). The responsiveness of SCIM IV was not significantly different from that of SCIM III in most of the comparisons. CONCLUSIONS The validity, reliability, and responsiveness of SCIM IV, which was adjusted to assess specific patient conditions or situations that SCIM III does not address, and which includes more accurate definitions of certain scoring criteria, are very good and quite similar to those of SCIM III. SCIM IV can be used for clinical and research trials, including international multi-center studies, and its group scores can be compared with those of SCIM III.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amiram Catz
- Department of Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Malka Itzkovich
- Department of Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Keren Elkayam
- Department of Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel
| | - Dianne Michaeli
- Department of Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel
| | - Ilana Gelernter
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoav Benjamini
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Luigi Tesio
- Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, and Università degli Studi, Milan, Italy
| | - Einat Engel-Haber
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | | | | | | | | | - Nan Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Bobeena Chandy
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mrinal Joshi
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Research Center, SMS Medical College & Associated Hospitals, Jaipur, India
| | | | | | - Annelie Schedin Leiulfsrud
- St Olav University Hospital, Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Spinal Cord Injuries, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Linda Sørensen
- Department of Innovation, Technology and E-Health, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital HF, Nesoddtangen, Norway
| | - Fin Biering-Sorensen
- Department of Spinal Cord Injuries, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nur Kesiktas
- Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation University of Health Sciences, Turkey
| | - Aheed Osman
- Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, UK
| | - Vadim Bluvshtein
- Department of Spinal Rehabilitation, Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, Raanana, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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12
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Baroncini A, Maffulli N, Eschweiler J, Tingart M, Migliorini F. Pharmacological management of secondary spinal cord injury. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:1793-1800. [PMID: 33899630 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1918674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Secondary spinal cord injury (SCI) sets on immediately after trauma and, despite prompt treatment, may become chronic. SCI is a complex condition and presents numerous challenges to patients and physicians alike, also considering the lack of an approved pharmacological therapy.Areas covered: This review describes the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to secondary SCI to highlight possible targets for pharmacological therapy. Furthermore, an extensive search of the literature on different databases (PubMed, Google scholar, Embase, and Scopus) and of the current clinical trials (clinicaltrials.gov) was performed to investigate the current outlook for the pharmacological management of SCI. Only drugs with performed or ongoing clinical trials were considered.Expert opinion: Pharmacological therapy aims to improve motor and sensory function in patients. Overall, drugs are divided into neuroprotective compounds, which aim to limit the damage induced by the pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic milieu of SCI, and neuroregenerative drugs, which induce neuronal and axonal regrowth. While many compounds have been trialed with promising results, none has yet completed a stage III trial and has been approved for the pharmacological management of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Baroncini
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nicola Maffulli
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy.,School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University School of Medicine, Stoke on Trent, UK.,Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, Queen Mary University of London, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
| | - Jörg Eschweiler
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Markus Tingart
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
| | - Filippo Migliorini
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, RWTH Aachen University Clinic, Aachen, Germany
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Aschauer-Wallner S, Leis S, Bogdahn U, Johannesen S, Couillard-Despres S, Aigner L. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in traumatic spinal cord injury. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:1642-1655. [PMID: 33781952 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a cytokine used in pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Evidence from experimental studies indicates that G-CSF exerts relevant activities in the central nervous system (CNS) in particular after lesions. In acute, subacute, and chronic CNS lesions, G-CSF appears to have strong anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, antioxidative, myelin-protective, and axon-regenerative activities. Additional effects result in the stimulation of angiogenesis and neurogenesis as well as in bone marrow stem cell mobilization to the CNS. There are emerging preclinical and clinical data indicating that G-CSF is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of acute and chronic traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI), which we summarize in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Aschauer-Wallner
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Stefan Leis
- Department of Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ulrich Bogdahn
- Velvio GmbH, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Siw Johannesen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; Department of Neurology, BG Trauma Center Murnau, Murnau, Germany
| | - Sebastien Couillard-Despres
- Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ludwig Aigner
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria; Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
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Yang Y, Pang M, Du C, Liu ZY, Chen ZH, Wang NX, Zhang LM, Chen YY, Mo J, Dong JW, Xie PG, Wang QY, Liu B, Rong LM. Repeated subarachnoid administrations of allogeneic human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for spinal cord injury: a phase 1/2 pilot study. Cytotherapy 2020; 23:57-64. [PMID: 33218835 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2020.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Stem cell transplantation is a potential treatment for intractable spinal cord injury (SCI), and allogeneic human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) are a promising candidate because of the advantages of immune privilege, paracrine effect, immunomodulatory function, convenient collection procedure and little ethical concern, and there is an urgent need to develop a safe and effective protocol regarding their clinical application. METHODS A prospective, single-center, single-arm study in which subjects received four subarachnoid transplantations of hUC-MSCs (1 × 106 cells/kg) monthly and were seen in follow-up four times (1, 3, 6 and 12 months after final administration) was conducted. At each scheduled time point, safety and efficacy indicators were collected and analyzed accordingly. Adverse events (AEs) were used as a safety indicator. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) and SCI Functional Rating Scale of the International Association of Neurorestoratology (IANR-SCIFRS) total scores at the fourth follow-up were determined as primary efficacy outcomes, whereas these two indicators at the remaining time points as well as scores of pinprick, light touch, motor and sphincter, muscle spasticity and spasm, autonomic system, bladder and bowel functions, residual urine volume (RUV) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were secondary efficacy outcomes. Subgroup analysis of primary efficacy indicators was also performed. RESULTS Safety and efficacy assessments were performed on 102 and 41 subjects, respectively. Mild AEs involving fever (14.1%), headache (4.2%), transient increase in muscle tension (1.6%) and dizziness (1.3%) were observed following hUC-MSC transplantation and resolved thoroughly after conservative treatments. There was no serious AE. ASIA and IANR-SCIFRS total scores revealed statistical increases when compared with the baselines at different time points during the study, mainly reflected in the improvement of pinprick, light touch, motor and sphincter scores. Moreover, subjects showed a continuous and remarkable decrease in muscle spasticity. Regarding muscle spasm, autonomic system, bladder and bowel functions, RUV and MRI, data/imaging at final follow-up showed significant improvements compared with those at first collection. Subgroup analysis found that hUC-MSC transplantation improved neurological functions regardless of injury characteristics, including level, severity and chronicity. CONCLUSIONS The authors' present protocol demonstrates that intrathecal administration of' allogeneic hUC-MSCs at a dose of 106 cells/kg once a month for 4 months is safe and effective and leads to significant improvement in neurological dysfunction and recovery of quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mao Pang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Du
- Cell-Gene Therapy Translational Medicine Research Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong-Yu Liu
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Hao Chen
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan-Xiang Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang-Ming Zhang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Yong Chen
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Mo
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Wen Dong
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Pei-Gen Xie
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi-You Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li-Min Rong
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Center for Engineering and Technology Research of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Center for Quality Control of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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Gillespie ER, Ruitenberg MJ. Neuroinflammation after SCI: Current Insights and Therapeutic Potential of Intravenous Immunoglobulin. J Neurotrauma 2020; 39:320-332. [PMID: 32689880 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2019.6952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) elicits a complex cascade of cellular and molecular inflammatory events. Although certain aspects of the inflammatory response are essential to wound healing and repair, post-SCI inflammation is, on balance, thought to be detrimental to recovery by causing "bystander damage" and the spread of pathology into spared but vulnerable regions of the spinal cord. Much of the research to date has therefore focused on understanding the inflammatory drivers of secondary tissue loss after SCI, to define therapeutic targets and positively modulate this response. Numerous experimental studies have demonstrated that modulation of the inflammatory response to SCI can indeed lead to significant neuroprotection and improved recovery. However, it is now also recognized that broadscale immunosuppression is not necessarily beneficial and may even carry the risk of contributing to the development of serious adverse events. Immune modulation rather than suppression is therefore now considered a more promising approach to target harmful post-traumatic inflammation following a major neurotraumatic event such as SCI. One promising immunomodulatory agent is intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), a plasma product that contains mostly immunoglobulin G (IgG) from thousands of healthy donors. IVIG is currently already widely used to treat a range of autoimmune diseases, but recent studies have found that it also holds great promise for treating acute neurological conditions, including SCI. This review provides an overview of the inflammatory response to SCI, immunomodulatory approaches that are currently in clinical trials, proposed mechanisms of action for IVIG therapy, and the putative relevance of these in the context of neurotraumatic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen R Gillespie
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Marc J Ruitenberg
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.,Trauma, Critical Care, and Recovery, Brisbane Diamantina Health Partners, Brisbane, Australia
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Torregrossa F, Sallì M, Grasso G. Emerging Therapeutic Strategies for Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury. World Neurosurg 2020; 140:591-601. [PMID: 32797989 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.03.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating neurologic condition with tremendous socioeconomic impact on affected individuals and the health care system. The treatment of SCI principally includes surgical treatment and marginal pharmacologic and rehabilitation therapies targeting secondary events with minor clinical improvements. This unsuccessful result mainly reflects the complexity of SCI pathophysiology and the diverse biochemical and physiologic changes that occur in the injured spinal cord. Once the nervous system is injured, cascades of cellular and molecular events are triggered at varying times. Although the cascade of tissue reactions and cell injury develops over a period of days or weeks, the most extensive cell death in SCI occurs within hours of trauma. This situation suggests that early intervention is likely to be the most promising approach to rescue the cord from further and irreversible cell damage. Over the past decades, a wealth of research has been conducted in preclinical and clinical studies with the hope to find new therapeutic strategies. Researchers have identified several targets for the development of potential therapeutic interventions (e.g., neuroprotection, replacement of cells lost, removal of inhibitory molecules, regeneration, and rehabilitation strategies to induce neuroplasticity). Most of these treatments have passed preclinical and initial clinical evaluations but have failed to be strongly conclusive in the clinical setting. This narrative review provides an update of the many therapeutic interventions after SCI, with an emphasis on the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Torregrossa
- Neurosurgical Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Marcello Sallì
- Department of Neurosensory and Motor Surgery, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Grasso
- Neurosurgical Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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Huang H, Young W, Skaper S, Chen L, Moviglia G, Saberi H, Al-Zoubi Z, Sharma HS, Muresanu D, Sharma A, El Masry W, Feng S. Clinical Neurorestorative Therapeutic Guidelines for Spinal Cord Injury (IANR/CANR version 2019). J Orthop Translat 2019; 20:14-24. [PMID: 31908929 PMCID: PMC6939117 DOI: 10.1016/j.jot.2019.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional restoration after spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most challenging tasks in neurological clinical practice. With a view to exploring effective neurorestorative methods in the acute, subacute, and chronic phases of SCI, “Clinical Therapeutic Guidelines of Neurorestoration for Spinal Cord Injury (China Version 2016)” was first proposed in 2016 by the Chinese Association of Neurorestoratology (CANR). Given the rapid advances in this field in recent years, the International Association of Neurorestoratology (IANR) and CANR formed and approved the “Clinical Neurorestorative Therapeutic Guidelines for Spinal Cord Injury (IANR/CANR version 2019)”. These guidelines mainly introduce restoring damaged neurological structure and functions by varying neurorestorative strategies in acute, subacute, and chronic phases of SCI. These guidelines can provide a neurorestorative therapeutic standard or reference for clinicians and researchers in clinical practice to maximally restore functions of patients with SCI and improve their quality of life. The translational potential of this article This guideline provided comprehensive management strategies for SCI, which contains the evaluation and diagnosis, pre-hospital first aid, treatments, rehabilitation training, and complications management. Nowadays, amounts of neurorestorative strategies have been demonstrated to be benefit in promoting the functional recovery and improving the quality of life for SCI patients by clinical trials. Also, the positive results of preclinical research provided lots of new neurorestorative strategies for SCI treatment. These promising neurorestorative strategies are worthy of translation in the future and can promote the advancement of SCI treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyun Huang
- Institute of Neurorestoratology, Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Hongtianji Neuroscience Academy, Lingxiu Building, No.1 at Gucheng Street, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wise Young
- W. M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Stephen Skaper
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tsinghua University Yuquan Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Gustavo Moviglia
- Center of Research and Engineer of Tissues and Cellular Therapy, Maimonides University, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hooshang Saberi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brain and Spinal Injury Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ziad Al-Zoubi
- Jordan Ortho and Spinal Centre, Al-Saif Medical Center, Amman, Jordan
| | - Hari Shanker Sharma
- Intensive Experimental CNS Injury and Repair, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dafin Muresanu
- Department of Neurosciences "Iuliu Hatieganu", University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alok Sharma
- Department of Neurosurgery, LTM Medical College, LTMG Hospital, Mumbai, Mumbai, India
| | - Wagih El Masry
- Spinal Injuries Unit, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, United Kingdom
| | - Shiqing Feng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
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