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Malinowski MN, Gish BE, Moreira AM, Karcz M, Bracero LA, Deer TR. Electrical neuromodulation for the treatment of chronic pain: derivation of the intrinsic barriers, outcomes and considerations of the sustainability of implantable spinal cord stimulation therapies. Expert Rev Med Devices 2024:1-13. [PMID: 39044340 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2024.2382234] [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: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION For over 60 years, spinal cord stimulation has endured as a therapy through innovation and novel developments. Current practice of neuromodulation requires proper patient selection, risk mitigation and use of innovation. However, there are tangible and intangible challenges in physiology, clinical science and within society. AREAS COVERED We provide a narrative discussion regarding novel topics in the field especially over the last decade. We highlight the challenges in the patient care setting including selection, as well as economic and socioeconomic challenges. Physician training challenges in neuromodulation is explored as well as other factors related to the use of neuromodulation such as novel indications and economics. We also discuss the concepts of technology and healthcare data. EXPERT OPINION Patient safety and durable outcomes are the mainstay goal for neuromodulation. Substantial work is needed to assimilate data for larger and more relevant studies reflecting a population. Big data and global interconnectivity efforts provide substantial opportunity to reinvent our scientific approach, data analysis and its management to maximize outcomes and minimize risk. As improvements in data analysis become the standard of innovation and physician training meets demand, we expect to see an expansion of novel indications and its use in broader cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon E Gish
- Lexington Clinic Interventional Pain, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Alexandra M Moreira
- Department of Anesthesiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marcin Karcz
- The Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias, Charleston, WV, USA
| | - Lucas A Bracero
- The Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias, Charleston, WV, USA
| | - Timothy R Deer
- The Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias, Charleston, WV, USA
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Angeli C, Rejc E, Boakye M, Herrity A, Mesbah S, Hubscher C, Forrest G, Harkema S. Targeted Selection of Stimulation Parameters for Restoration of Motor and Autonomic Function in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury. Neuromodulation 2024; 27:645-660. [PMID: 37140522 PMCID: PMC10624649 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.03.014] [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: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN This is a report of methods and tools for selection of task and individual configurations targeted for voluntary movement, standing, stepping, blood pressure stabilization, and facilitation of bladder storage and emptying using tonic-interleaved excitation of the lumbosacral spinal cord. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to present strategies used for selection of stimulation parameters for various motor and autonomic functions. CONCLUSIONS Tonic-interleaved functionally focused neuromodulation targets a myriad of consequences from spinal cord injury with surgical implantation of the epidural electrode at a single location. This approach indicates the sophistication of the human spinal cord circuitry and its important role in the regulation of motor and autonomic functions in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Angeli
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY, USA.
| | - Enrico Rejc
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Maxwell Boakye
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - April Herrity
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Samineh Mesbah
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Charles Hubscher
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Gail Forrest
- Human Performance and Engineering Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, NJ, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Susan Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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Moreno Romero GN, Twyman AR, Bandres MF, McPherson JG. Unintentionally intentional: unintended effects of spinal stimulation as a platform for multi-modal neurorehabilitation after spinal cord injury. Bioelectron Med 2024; 10:12. [PMID: 38745334 PMCID: PMC11094943 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-024-00144-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Electrical stimulation of spinal neurons has emerged as a valuable tool to enhance rehabilitation after spinal cord injury. In separate parameterizations, it has shown promise for improving voluntary movement, reducing symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia, improving functions mediated by muscles of the pelvic floor (e.g., bowel, bladder, and sexual function), reducing spasms and spasticity, and decreasing neuropathic pain, among others. This diverse set of actions is related both to the density of sensorimotor neural networks in the spinal cord and to the intrinsic ability of electrical stimulation to modulate neural transmission in multiple spinal networks simultaneously. It also suggests that certain spinal stimulation parameterizations may be capable of providing multi-modal therapeutic benefits, which would directly address the complex, multi-faceted rehabilitation goals of people living with spinal cord injury. This review is intended to identify and characterize reports of spinal stimulation-based therapies specifically designed to provide multi-modal benefits and those that report relevant unintended effects of spinal stimulation paradigms parameterized to enhance a single consequence of spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerson N Moreno Romero
- Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Avery R Twyman
- Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Maria F Bandres
- Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jacob Graves McPherson
- Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Program in Neurosciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Chalif JI, Chavarro VS, Mensah E, Johnston B, Fields DP, Chalif EJ, Chiang M, Sutton O, Yong R, Trumbower R, Lu Y. Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury in Humans: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1090. [PMID: 38398403 PMCID: PMC10889415 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13041090] [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: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a major health challenge, often leading to significant and permanent sensorimotor and autonomic dysfunctions. This study reviews the evolving role of epidural spinal cord stimulation (eSCS) in treating chronic SCI, focusing on its efficacy and safety. The objective was to analyze how eSCS contributes to the recovery of neurological functions in SCI patients. (2) Methods: We utilized the PRISMA guidelines and performed a comprehensive search across MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore databases up until September 2023. We identified studies relevant to eSCS in SCI and extracted assessments of locomotor, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and genitourinary functions. (3) Results: A total of 64 studies encompassing 306 patients were identified. Studies investigated various stimulation devices, parameters, and rehabilitation methods. Results indicated significant improvements in motor function: 44% of patients achieved assisted or independent stepping or standing; 87% showed enhanced muscle activity; 65% experienced faster walking speeds; and 80% improved in overground walking. Additionally, eSCS led to better autonomic function, evidenced by improvements in bladder and sexual functions, airway pressures, and bowel movements. Notable adverse effects included device migration, infections, and post-implant autonomic dysreflexia, although these were infrequent. (4) Conclusion: Epidural spinal cord stimulation is emerging as an effective and generally safe treatment for chronic SCI, particularly when combined with intensive physical rehabilitation. Future research on standardized stimulation parameters and well-defined therapy regimens will optimize benefits for specific patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. I. Chalif
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (J.I.C.); (V.S.C.); (B.J.)
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.C.); (R.Y.); (R.T.)
| | - V. S. Chavarro
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (J.I.C.); (V.S.C.); (B.J.)
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.C.); (R.Y.); (R.T.)
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Hospital Cambridge, Cambridge, MA 02115, USA
| | - E. Mensah
- Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - B. Johnston
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (J.I.C.); (V.S.C.); (B.J.)
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.C.); (R.Y.); (R.T.)
| | - D. P. Fields
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA;
| | - E. J. Chalif
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (J.I.C.); (V.S.C.); (B.J.)
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.C.); (R.Y.); (R.T.)
| | - M. Chiang
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.C.); (R.Y.); (R.T.)
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Hospital Cambridge, Cambridge, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology Perioperative and Pain Management, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - O. Sutton
- Department of Anesthesiology Perioperative and Pain Management, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - R. Yong
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.C.); (R.Y.); (R.T.)
- Department of Anesthesiology Perioperative and Pain Management, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - R. Trumbower
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.C.); (R.Y.); (R.T.)
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spaulding Hospital Cambridge, Cambridge, MA 02115, USA
| | - Y. Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (J.I.C.); (V.S.C.); (B.J.)
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; (M.C.); (R.Y.); (R.T.)
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Solinsky R, Burns K, Tuthill C, Hamner JW, Taylor JA. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation and its impact on cardiovascular autonomic regulation after spinal cord injury. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H116-H122. [PMID: 37947438 PMCID: PMC11213470 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00588.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) have significant dysfunction in cardiovascular autonomic regulation. Although recent findings postulate that spinal cord stimulation improves autonomic regulation, limited scope of past methods have tested only above level sympathetic activation, leaving significant uncertainty. To identify whether transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation improves cardiovascular autonomic regulation, two pairs of well-matched individuals with and without high thoracic, complete SCI were recruited. Baseline autonomic regulation was characterized with multiple tests of sympathoinhibition and above/below injury level sympathoexcitation. At three subsequent visits, testing was repeated with the addition submotor threshold transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation at three previously advocated frequencies. Uninjured controls demonstrated no autonomic deficits at baseline and had no changes with any frequency of stimulation. As expected, individuals with SCI had baseline autonomic dysfunction. In a frequency-dependent manner, spinal cord stimulation enhanced sympathoexcitatory responses, normalizing previously impaired Valsalva's maneuvers. However, stimulation exacerbated already impaired sympathoinhibitory responses, resulting in significantly greater mean arterial pressure increases with the same phenylephrine doses compared with baseline. Impaired sympathoexcitatory response below the level of injury were also further exacerbated with spinal cord stimulation. At baseline, neither individual with SCI demonstrated autonomic dysreflexia with the noxious foot cold pressor test; the addition of stimulation led to a dysreflexic response in every trial, with greater relative hypertension and bradycardia indicating no improvement in cardiovascular autonomic regulation. Collectively, transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation demonstrates no improvements in autonomic regulation after SCI, and instead likely generates tonic sympathoexcitation which may lower the threshold for dangerous autonomic dysreflexia.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Spinal cord stimulation increases blood pressure after spinal cord injury, though it is unclear if this restores natural autonomic regulation or induces a potentially dangerous pathological reflex. We performed comprehensive autonomic testing batteries, with and without transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation at multiple frequencies. Across 96 independent tests, stimulation did not change uninjured control responses, though all frequencies facilitated pathological reflexes without improved autonomic regulation for those with spinal cord injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Solinsky
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Kathryn Burns
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Christopher Tuthill
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Jason W Hamner
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - J Andrew Taylor
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
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Peters CG, Harel NY, Weir JP, Wu YK, Murray LM, Chavez J, Fox FE, Cardozo CP, Wecht JM. Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation to Stabilize Seated Systolic Blood Pressure in Persons With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: Protocol Development. Neurotrauma Rep 2023; 4:838-847. [PMID: 38156073 PMCID: PMC10754346 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2023.0063] [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] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is an emerging therapeutic strategy to target spinal autonomic circuitry to normalize and stabilize blood pressure (BP) in hypotensive persons living with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Our aim is to describe our current methodological approach to identify individual tSCS parameters that result in the maintenance of seated systolic blood pressure (SBP) within a pre-defined target range. The parent study is a prospective, randomized clinical trial in which eligible participants will undergo multiple mapping sessions to optimize tSCS parameter settings to promote stable SBP within a target range of 110-120 mm Hg for males and 100-120 mm Hg for females. Parameter mapping includes cathode electrode placement site (T7/8, T9/10, T11/12, and L1/2), stimulation frequency (30, 60 Hz), current amplitudes (0-120 mA), waveform (mono- and biphasic), pulse width (1000 μs), and use of carrier frequency (0, 10 kHz). Each participant will undergo up to 10 mapping sessions involving different electrode placement sites and parameter settings. BP will be continuously monitored throughout each mapping session. Stimulation amplitude (mA) will be increased at intervals of between 2 and 10 mA until one of the following occurs: 1) seated SBP reaches the target range; 2) tSCS intensity reaches 120 mA; or 3) the participant requests to stop. Secondary outcomes recorded include 1) symptoms related to autonomic dysreflexia and orthostatic hypotension, 2) Likert pain scale, and 3) skin appearance after removal of the tSCS electrode. Clinical Trials Registration: NCT05180227.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn G. Peters
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Noam Y. Harel
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joseph P. Weir
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Yu-Kuang Wu
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lynda M. Murray
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jorge Chavez
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Fiona E. Fox
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Christopher P. Cardozo
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jill M. Wecht
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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Law M, Sachdeva R, Darrow D, Krassioukov A. Cardiovascular Effects of Spinal Cord Stimulation: The Highs, the Lows, and the Don't Knows. Neuromodulation 2023:S1094-7159(23)00714-6. [PMID: 37665302 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2023.07.010] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES There are many potential etiologies of impaired cardiovascular control, from chronic stress to neurodegenerative conditions or central nervous system lesions. Since 1959, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been reported to modulate blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and HR variability (HRV), yet the specific stimulation sites and parameters to induce a targeted cardiovascular (CV) change for mitigating abnormal hemodynamics remain unclear. To investigate the ability and parameters of SCS to modulate the CV, we reviewed clinical studies using SCS with reported HR, BP, or HRV findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS A keyword-based electronic search was conducted through MEDLINE, Embase, and PubMed data bases, last searched on February 3, 2023. Inclusion criteria were studies with human participants receiving SCS with comparison with SCS turned off, with reporting of either HR, HRV, or BP findings. Non-English studies, conference abstracts, and studies not reporting standalone effects of SCS when comparing SCS with non-SCS interventions were excluded. Results were plotted for visual analysis. When available, participant-specific stimulation parameters and effects were extracted and quantitatively analyzed using ordinary least squares regression. RESULTS A total of 59 studies were included in this review; 51 studies delivered SCS invasively through implanted/percutaneous leads. Eight studies used noninvasive, transcutaneous electrodes. We found numerous reports of cervical, high thoracic, and mid-to-low thoracolumbar SCS increasing resting BP, and cervical/mid-to-low thoracolumbar SCS decreasing BP. The effect of SCS location on HR and HRV was equivocal. We were unable to analyze stimulation parameters owing to inadequate parameter reporting in many publications. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest CV neuromodulation, particularly BP modulation, with SCS to be a promising frontier. Further research with larger randomized controlled trials and detailed reporting of SCS parameters will be necessary for appropriate evaluation of SCS as a CV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Law
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rahul Sachdeva
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - David Darrow
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA; Division of Neurosurgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Andrei Krassioukov
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Boakye M, Ball T, Dietz N, Sharma M, Angeli C, Rejc E, Kirshblum S, Forrest G, Arnold FW, Harkema S. Spinal cord epidural stimulation for motor and autonomic function recovery after chronic spinal cord injury: A case series and technical note. Surg Neurol Int 2023; 14:87. [PMID: 37025529 PMCID: PMC10070319 DOI: 10.25259/sni_1074_2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background:
Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) is a debilitating condition, leading to chronic morbidity and mortality. In recent peer-reviewed studies, spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) enabled voluntary movement and return of over-ground walking in a small number of patients with motor complete SCI. Using the most extensive case series (n = 25) for chronic SCI, the present report describes our motor and cardiovascular and functional outcomes, surgical and training complication rates, quality of life (QOL) improvements, and patient satisfaction results after scES.
Methods:
This prospective study occurred at the University of Louisville from 2009 to 2020. scES interventions began 2–3 weeks after surgical implantation of the scES device. Perioperative complications were recorded as well as long-term complications during training and device related events. QOL outcomes and patient satisfaction were evaluated using the impairment domains model and a global patient satisfaction scale, respectively.
Results:
Twenty-five patients (80% male, mean age of 30.9 ± 9.4 years) with chronic motor complete tSCI underwent scES using an epidural paddle electrode and internal pulse generator. The interval from SCI to scES implantation was 5.9 ± 3.4 years. Two participants (8%) developed infections, and three additional patients required washouts (12%). All participants achieved voluntary movement after implantation. A total of 17 research participants (85%) reported that the procedure either met (n = 9) or exceeded (n = 8) their expectations, and 100% would undergo the operation again.
Conclusion:
scES in this series was safe and achieved numerous benefits on motor and cardiovascular regulation and improved patient-reported QOL in multiple domains, with a high degree of patient satisfaction. The multiple previously unreported benefits beyond improvements in motor function render scES a promising option for improving QOL after motor complete SCI. Further studies may quantify these other benefits and clarify scES’s role in SCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell Boakye
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky,
| | - Tyler Ball
- Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville,
| | - Nicholas Dietz
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky,
| | - Mayur Sharma
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky,
| | - Claudia Angeli
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky,
| | - Enrico Rejc
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky,
| | - Steven Kirshblum
- Department of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation, Rutgers, Newark, New Jersey,
| | - Gail Forrest
- Department of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation, Rutgers, Newark, New Jersey,
| | - Forest W. Arnold
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, Louisville, United States
| | - Susan Harkema
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky,
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Gorgey AS, Goldsmith J, Alazzam A, Trainer R. Effects of percutaneously-implanted epidural stimulation on cardiovascular autonomic function and spasticity after complete spinal cord injury: A case report. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1112853. [PMID: 36875669 PMCID: PMC9978801 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1112853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance There is a revived interest to explore spinal cord epidural stimulation (SCES) to improve physical function after spinal cord injury (SCI). This case report highlights the potential of eliciting multiple functional improvements with a single SCES configuration, a strategy which could improve clinical translation. Objective To determine whether SCES intended to facilitate walking also acutely yields benefits in cardiovascular autonomic regulation and spasticity. Design Case report from data collected at two timepoints 15 weeks apart from March to June 2022 as part of a larger clinical trial. Setting Research lab at Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center. Participant 27-year-old male, 7 years post a C8 motor complete spinal cord injury. Intervention A SCES configuration intended to enhance exoskeleton-assisted walking training applied for autonomic and spasticity management. Main outcomes and measures The primary outcome was cardiovascular autonomic response to a 45-degree head-up-tilt test. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), and absolute power of the low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) components of a heart-rate variability analysis were collected in supine and tilt with and without the presence of SCES. Right knee flexor and knee extensor spasticity was assessed via isokinetic dynamometry with and without SCES. Results At both assessments with SCES off, transitioning from supine to tilt decreased SBP (assessment one: 101.8 to 70 mmHg; assessment two: 98.9 to 66.4 mmHg). At assessment one, SCES on in supine (3 mA) increased SBP (average 117 mmHg); in tilt, 5 mA stabilized SBP near baseline values (average 111.5 mmHg). At assessment two, SCES on in supine (3 mA) increased SBP (average 140 mmHg in minute one); decreasing amplitude to 2 mA decreased SBP (average 119 mmHg in minute five). In tilt, 3 mA stabilized SBP near baseline values (average 93.2 mmHg). Torque-time integrals at the right knee were reduced at all angular velocities for knee flexors (range: -1.9 to -7.8%) and knee extensors (range: -1 to -11.4%). Conclusions and relevance These results demonstrate that SCES intended to facilitate walking may also enhance cardiovascular autonomic control and attenuate spasticity. Using one configuration to enhance multiple functions after SCI may accelerate clinical translation. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/, identifier NCT04782947.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf S. Gorgey
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Jacob Goldsmith
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Ahmad Alazzam
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Robert Trainer
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, United States
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Bao Y, Xie Q, Sun XP, Shi JJ, Zhang J, Pan HJ, Li DY, Liang Y. Safety and effectiveness of electromyography-induced rehabilitation treatment after epidural electrical stimulation for spinal cord injury: study protocol for a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:819-824. [DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.353507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Beliaeva NN, Moshonkina TR, Mamontov OV, Zharova EN, Condori Leandro HI, Gasimova NZ, Mikhaylov EN. Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation Attenuates Blood Pressure Drops in Orthostasis. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 13:life13010026. [PMID: 36675975 PMCID: PMC9864757 DOI: 10.3390/life13010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Orthostatic hypotension is a complex medical problem with various underlying pathogenic mechanisms and limited modalities for its correction. Since transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (t-SCS) leads to immediate blood pressure (BP) elevation in a supine position, we suggested that t-SCS may attenuate blood pressure drops in orthostasis. We aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of t-SCS during tilt testing in a feasibility study in three patients with documented orthostatic hypotension. Four sessions on two different days of tilt testing on and off t-SCS were performed on each patient. While tilting with t-SCS off showed typical significant BP drops in every patient, active t-SCS resulted in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) elevation in all patients and significantly higher values of systolic and diastolic BP in two patients. T-SCS requires further investigation on a larger patient population. However, our preliminary results demonstrate its ability for SVR and BP elevation in subjects with severe orthostatic hypotension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia N. Beliaeva
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
- Correspondence: (N.N.B.); (E.N.M.)
| | - Tatiana R. Moshonkina
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 6 Makarova enb., St. Petersburg 199034, Russia
| | - Oleg V. Mamontov
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
| | - Elena N. Zharova
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
| | | | - Nigar Z. Gasimova
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
| | - Evgeny N. Mikhaylov
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 2 Akkuratova Str., St. Petersburg 197341, Russia
- Correspondence: (N.N.B.); (E.N.M.)
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12
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Jantz MK, Gopinath C, Kumar R, Chin C, Wong L, Ogren JI, Fisher LE, McLaughlin BL, Gaunt RA. High-density spinal cord stimulation selectively activates lower urinary tract nerves. J Neural Eng 2022; 19:066014. [PMID: 36343359 PMCID: PMC9855651 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aca0c2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Objective.Epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a potential intervention to improve limb and autonomic functions, with lumbar stimulation improving locomotion and thoracic stimulation regulating blood pressure. Here, we asked whether sacral SCS could be used to target the lower urinary tract (LUT) and used a high-density epidural electrode array to test whether individual electrodes could selectively recruit LUT nerves.Approach. We placed a high-density epidural SCS array on the dorsal surface of the sacral spinal cord and cauda equina of anesthetized cats and recorded the stimulation-evoked activity from nerve cuffs on the pelvic, pudendal and sciatic nerves.Main results. Here we show that sacral SCS evokes responses in nerves innervating the bladder and urethra and that these nerves can be activated selectively. Sacral SCS always recruited the pelvic and pudendal nerves and selectively recruited both of these nerves in all but one animal. Individual branches of the pudendal nerve were always recruited as well. Electrodes that selectively recruited specific peripheral nerves were spatially clustered on the arrays, suggesting anatomically organized sensory pathways.Significance.This selective recruitment demonstrates a mechanism to directly modulate bladder and urethral function through known reflex pathways, which could be used to restore bladder and urethral function after injury or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K Jantz
- Rehab Neural Engineering Labs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Chaitanya Gopinath
- Rehab Neural Engineering Labs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Ritesh Kumar
- Rehab Neural Engineering Labs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Celine Chin
- Micro-Leads Inc., Somerville, MA, United States of America
| | - Liane Wong
- Micro-Leads Inc., Somerville, MA, United States of America
| | - John I Ogren
- Micro-Leads Inc., Somerville, MA, United States of America
| | - Lee E Fisher
- Rehab Neural Engineering Labs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | | | - Robert A Gaunt
- Rehab Neural Engineering Labs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
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13
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Lin A, Shaaya E, Calvert JS, Parker SR, Borton DA, Fridley JS. A Review of Functional Restoration From Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury. Neurospine 2022; 19:703-734. [PMID: 36203296 PMCID: PMC9537842 DOI: 10.14245/ns.2244652.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury often leads to loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic function below the level of injury. Recent advancements in spinal cord electrical stimulation (SCS) for spinal cord injury have provided potential avenues for restoration of neurologic function in affected patients. This review aims to assess the efficacy of spinal cord stimulation, both epidural (eSCS) and transcutaneous (tSCS), on the return of function in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. The current literature on human clinical eSCS and tSCS for spinal cord injury was reviewed. Seventy-one relevant studies were included for review, specifically examining changes in volitional movement, changes in muscle activity or spasticity, or return of cardiovascular pulmonary, or genitourinary autonomic function. The total participant sample comprised of 327 patients with spinal cord injury, each evaluated using different stimulation protocols, some for sensorimotor function and others for various autonomic functions. One hundred eight of 127 patients saw improvement in sensorimotor function, 51 of 70 patients saw improvement in autonomic genitourinary function, 32 of 32 patients saw improvement in autonomic pulmonary function, and 32 of 36 patients saw improvement in autonomic cardiovascular function. Although this review highlights SCS as a promising therapeutic neuromodulatory technique to improve rehabilitation in patients with SCI, further mechanistic studies and stimulus parameter optimization are necessary before clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Lin
- Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Elias Shaaya
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | | | - David A. Borton
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology, Department of Veterans Affairs, Providence, RI, USA,Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jared S. Fridley
- Department of Neurosurgery, Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA,Corresponding Author Jared S. Fridley Department of Neurosurgery, Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy St # 1, Providence, RI 02903, USA
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14
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Mansour NM, Peña Pino I, Freeman D, Carrabre K, Venkatesh S, Darrow D, Samadani U, Parr AM. Advances in Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation to Restore Function after Spinal Cord Injury: History and Systematic Review. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:1015-1029. [PMID: 35403432 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidural spinal cord stimulation (eSCS) has been recently recognized as a potential therapy for chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). eSCS has been shown to uncover residual pathways within the damaged spinal cord. The purpose of this review is to summarize the key findings to date regarding the use of eSCS in SCI. Searches were carried out using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science database and reference lists of the included articles. A combination of medical subject heading terms and keywords was used to find studies investigating the use of eSCS in SCI patients to facilitate volitional movement and to restore autonomic function. The risk of bias was assessed using Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool for nonrandomized studies. We were able to include 40 articles that met our eligibility criteria. The studies included a total of 184 patient experiences with incomplete or complete SCI. The majority of the studies used the Medtronic 16 paddle lead. Around half of the studies reported lead placement between T11- L1. We included studies that assessed motor (n = 28), autonomic (n = 13), and other outcomes (n = 10). The majority of the studies reported improvement in outcomes assessed. The wide range of included outcomes demonstrates the effectiveness of eSCS in treating a diverse SCI population. However, the current studies cannot definitively conclude which patients benefit the most from this intervention. Further study in this area is needed to allow improvement of the eSCS technology and allow it to be more widely available for chronic SCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine M Mansour
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Isabela Peña Pino
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - David Freeman
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kailey Carrabre
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Shivani Venkatesh
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - David Darrow
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Uzma Samadani
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, VA Healthcare System, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ann M Parr
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Division of Neurosurgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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15
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Historical development and contemporary use of neuromodulation in human spinal cord injury. Curr Opin Neurol 2022; 35:536-543. [PMID: 35856918 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW There is a long history of neuromodulation of the spinal cord after injury in humans with recent momentum of studies showing evidence for therapeutic potential. Nonrandomized, mechanistic, hypothesis-driven, small cohort, epidural stimulation proof of principle studies provide insight into the human spinal circuitry functionality and support the pathway toward clinical treatments. RECENT FINDINGS Individuals living with spinal cord injury can recover motor, cardiovascular, and bladder function even years after injury using neuromodulation. Integration of continuous feedback from sensory information, task-specific training, and optimized excitability state of human spinal circuitry are critical spinal mechanisms. Neuromodulation activates previously undetectable residual supraspinal pathways to allow intentional (voluntary) control of motor movements. Further discovery unveiled the human spinal circuitry integrated regulatory control of motor and autonomic systems indicating the realistic potential of neuromodulation to improve the capacity incrementally, but significantly for recovery after severe spinal cord injury. SUMMARY The discovery that both motor and autonomic function recovers with lumbosacral spinal cord placement of the electrode reveals exciting avenues for a synergistic overall improvement in function, health, and quality of life for those who have been living with the consequences of spinal cord injury even for decades.
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16
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Flett S, Garcia J, Cowley KC. Spinal electrical stimulation to improve sympathetic autonomic functions needed for movement and exercise after spinal cord injury: a scoping clinical review. J Neurophysiol 2022; 128:649-670. [PMID: 35894427 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00205.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in sensory, motor and autonomic dysfunction. Obesity, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are highly prevalent after SCI. Although inadequate voluntary activation of skeletal muscle contributes, it is absent or inadequate activation of thoracic spinal sympathetic neural circuitry and sub-optimal activation of homeostatic (cardiovascular, temperature) and metabolic support systems that truly limits exercise capacity, particularly for those with cervical SCI. Thus, when electrical spinal cord stimulation (SCS) studies aimed at improving motor functions began mentioning effects on exercise-related autonomic functions, a potential new area of clinical application appeared. To survey this new area of potential benefit, we performed a systematic scoping review of clinical SCS studies involving these spinally mediated autonomic functions. Nineteen studies were included, 8 used transcutaneous and 11 used epidural SCS. Improvements in BP at rest or in response to orthostatic challenge were investigated most systematically, whereas reports of improved temperature regulation, whole body metabolism and peak exercise performance were mainly anecdotal. Effective stimulation locations and parameters varied between studies, suggesting multiple stimulation parameters and rostrocaudal spinal locations may influence the same sympathetic function. Brainstem and spinal neural mechanisms providing excitatory drive to sympathetic neurons that activate homeostatic and metabolic tissues that provide support for movement and exercise and their integration with locomotor neural circuitry are discussed. A unifying conceptual framework for the integrated neural control of locomotor and sympathetic function is presented which may inform future research needed to take full advantage of SCS for improving these spinally mediated autonomic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Flett
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Juanita Garcia
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Kristine C Cowley
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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17
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Herrity AN, Aslan SC, Mesbah S, Siu R, Kalvakuri K, Ugiliweneza B, Mohamed A, Hubscher CH, Harkema SJ. Targeting bladder function with network-specific epidural stimulation after chronic spinal cord injury. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11179. [PMID: 35778466 PMCID: PMC9249897 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15315-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Profound dysfunctional reorganization of spinal networks and extensive loss of functional continuity after spinal cord injury (SCI) has not precluded individuals from achieving coordinated voluntary activity and gaining multi-systemic autonomic control. Bladder function is enhanced by approaches, such as spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) that modulates and strengthens spared circuitry, even in cases of clinically complete SCI. It is unknown whether scES parameters specifically configured for modulating the activity of the lower urinary tract (LUT) could improve both bladder storage and emptying. Functional bladder mapping studies, conducted during filling cystometry, identified specific scES parameters that improved bladder compliance, while maintaining stable blood pressure, and enabled the initiation of voiding in seven individuals with motor complete SCI. Using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and finite element modeling, specific neuroanatomical structures responsible for modulating bladder function were identified and plotted as heat maps. Data from this pilot clinical trial indicate that scES neuromodulation that targets bladder compliance reduces incidences of urinary incontinence and provides a means for mitigating autonomic dysreflexia associated with bladder distention. The ability to initiate voiding with targeted scES is a key step towards regaining volitional control of LUT function, advancing the application and adaptability of scES for autonomic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- April N Herrity
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Louisville, 220 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 1518, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA. .,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. .,Department of Physiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
| | - Sevda C Aslan
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Louisville, 220 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 1518, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Samineh Mesbah
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Louisville, 220 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 1518, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Ricardo Siu
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Louisville, 220 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 1518, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Karthik Kalvakuri
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Louisville, 220 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 1518, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Beatrice Ugiliweneza
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Louisville, 220 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 1518, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Health Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Ahmad Mohamed
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Charles H Hubscher
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Louisville, 220 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 1518, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.,Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Susan J Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Louisville, 220 Abraham Flexner Way, Suite 1518, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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18
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Pino IP, Nightingale TE, Hoover C, Zhao Z, Cahalan M, Dorey TW, Walter M, Soriano JE, Netoff TI, Parr A, Samadani U, Phillips AA, Krassioukov AV, Darrow DP. The safety of epidural spinal cord stimulation to restore function after spinal cord injury: post-surgical complications and incidence of cardiovascular events. Spinal Cord 2022; 60:903-910. [PMID: 35701485 DOI: 10.1038/s41393-022-00822-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Cohort prospective study. OBJECTIVES Epidural spinal cord stimulation (eSCS) improves volitional motor and autonomic function after spinal cord injury (SCI). While eSCS has an established history of safety for chronic pain, it remains unclear if eSCS in the SCI population presents the same risk profile. We aimed to assess safety and autonomic monitoring data for the first 14 participants in the E-STAND trial. SETTING Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis and Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minnesota, USA. METHODS Monthly follow-up visits assessed surgical and medical device-related safety outcomes as well as stimulation usage. Beat-by-beat blood pressure (BP) and continuous electrocardiogram data were collected during head-up tilt-table testing with and without eSCS. RESULTS All participants had a motor-complete SCI. Mean (SD) age and time since injury were 38 (10) and 7 (5) years, respectively. There were no surgical complications but one device malfunction 4 months post implantation. Stimulation was applied for up to 23 h/day, across a broad range of parameters: frequency (18-700 Hz), pulse width (100-600 µs), and amplitude (0.4-17 mA), with no adverse events reported. Tilt-table testing with eSCS demonstrated no significant increases in the incidence of elevated systolic BP or a greater frequency of arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS eSCS to restore autonomic and volitional motor function following SCI has a similar safety profile as when used to treat chronic pain, despite the prevalence of significant comorbidities and the wide variety of stimulation parameters tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabela Peña Pino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Division of Neurosurgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Thomas E Nightingale
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Centre for Trauma Sciences Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
| | - Caleb Hoover
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Zixi Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mark Cahalan
- MD Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tristan W Dorey
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Science, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Matthias Walter
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jan E Soriano
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cardiac Sciences, Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Theoden I Netoff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ann Parr
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Uzma Samadani
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Aaron A Phillips
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cardiac Sciences, Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Andrei V Krassioukov
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada. .,Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada. .,GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - David P Darrow
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. .,Division of Neurosurgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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19
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Laskin JJ, Waheed Z, Thorogood NP, Nightingale TE, Noonan VK. Spinal cord stimulation research in the restoration of motor, sensory and autonomic function for individuals living with spinal cord injuries: A scoping review. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2022; 103:1387-1397. [PMID: 35202581 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2022.01.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the status of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) research for the improvement of motor, sensory and autonomic function for individuals living with a spinal cord injury (SCI). DATA SOURCES This scoping review identified original research published prior to March 31, 2021, via literature searches using Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, Science Direct, CINAHL, Sport Discus, Web of Science, as well as a targeted search for well-known principal investigators. Search terms included permutations of "spinal cord stimulation", "epidural spinal cord stimulation", "transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation", "magnetic spinal cord stimulation" and "neuromodulation". STUDY SELECTION Studies were included if they: 1) were in English, 2) presented original research on humans living with a SCI, and 3) investigated at least one of the three forms of SCS. DATA EXTRACTION Extracted data included: authors, publication year, participant characteristics, purpose, study design, stimulation (device, location, parameters,) primary outcomes, and adverse events. DATA SYNTHESIS As a scoping review the extracted data was tabulated and presented descriptively. Themes and gaps in the literature were identified and reported. Of the 5,754 articles screened, 103 articles were included (55 epidural, 36 transcutaneous and 12 magnetic). The primary research design was a case study or series with only a single randomized clinical trial. Motor recovery was the most common primary outcome for epidural and transcutaneous SCS studies whereas bowel and bladder outcomes were most common for magnetic. Seventy percent of the studies included 10 or fewer participants, and 18 articles documented at least one adverse event. Incomplete stimulation parameter descriptions were noted across many studies. No articles mentioned direct engagement of consumers or advocacy groups. CONCLUSION This review identified a need for more robust study designs, larger sample sizes, comparative studies, improved reporting of stimulation parameters, adverse event data, and alignment of outcomes with the priorities of the SCI community.
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Affiliation(s)
- James J Laskin
- Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana.
| | - Zeina Waheed
- Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Tom E Nightingale
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; Centre for Trauma Sciences Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Vanessa K Noonan
- Praxis Spinal Cord Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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20
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Burns M, Solinsky R. Toward rebalancing blood pressure instability after spinal cord injury with spinal cord electrical stimulation: A mini review and critique of the evolving literature. Auton Neurosci 2022; 237:102905. [PMID: 34800845 PMCID: PMC9280330 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2021.102905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
High-level spinal cord injury commonly leads to blood pressure instability. This manifests clinically as orthostatic hypotension (OH), where blood pressure can drop to the point of loss of consciousness, and autonomic dysreflexia (AD), where systolic blood pressure can climb to over 300 mmHg in response to an unperceived noxious stimulus. These blood pressure fluctuations can occur multiple times a day, contributing to increased vessel shear stress and heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. The pathophysiology of both of these conditions is rooted in impairments in regulation of spinal cord sympathetic preganglionic neurons, which control blood pressure by mediating vascular resistance and catecholamine release. Recently, spinal cord electrical stimulation has provided evidence that it may modulate these blood pressure imbalances. Early proposed mechanisms suggest activation of spinal cord dorsal horn neurons that ultimately act upon the sympathetic preganglionic neuronal pathways. For OH, spinal cord stimulation likely induces local activation of these neurons to generate baseline sympathetic tone and accompanying vasoconstriction. The mechanisms for spinal stimulation regulating AD are less clear, though some suggest it activates inhibitory circuits to dampen the overactive sympathetic response. While questions remain, spinal cord electrical stimulation is an intriguing new modality that may restore blood pressure regulation following spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Burns
- Boston University School of Medicine, Graduate Medical Sciences
| | - Ryan Solinsky
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital,Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School,Spaulding Research Institute
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21
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Management of blood pressure disorders in individuals with spinal cord injury. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2021; 62:60-63. [PMID: 34915401 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Blood pressure regulation is impacted by a spinal cord injury (SCI) due to impaired descending sympathetic vascular control. Common blood pressure problems in the SCI population include persistently low blood pressure with bouts of orthostatic hypotension and autonomic dysreflexia, which are more prevalent in individuals with lesions above the sixth thoracic vertebral level; however, they may occur regardless of the neurological level of injury. Although blood pressure disorders adversely impact daily function and quality of life, most individuals with SCI do not acknowledge this association. Few pharmacological options have been rigorously tested for safety and efficacy to manage blood pressure disorders in the SCI population. Furthermore, clinical management of any one blood pressure disorder may adversely impact others, as such treatment is complicated and not often prioritized.
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22
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Hachmann JT, Yousak A, Wallner JJ, Gad PN, Edgerton VR, Gorgey AS. Epidural spinal cord stimulation as an intervention for motor recovery after motor complete spinal cord injury. J Neurophysiol 2021; 126:1843-1859. [PMID: 34669485 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00020.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) commonly results in permanent loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic function. Recent clinical studies have shown that epidural spinal cord stimulation may provide a beneficial adjunct for restoring lower extremity and other neurological functions. Herein, we review the recent clinical advances of lumbosacral epidural stimulation for restoration of sensorimotor function in individuals with motor complete SCI and we discuss the putative neural pathways involved in this promising neurorehabilitative approach. We focus on three main sections: review recent clinical results for locomotor restoration in complete SCI; discuss the contemporary understanding of electrical neuromodulation and signal transduction pathways involved in spinal locomotor networks; and review current challenges of motor system modulation and future directions toward integrative neurorestoration. The current understanding is that initial depolarization occurs at the level of large diameter dorsal root proprioceptive afferents that when integrated with interneuronal and latent residual supraspinal translesional connections can recruit locomotor centers and augment downstream motor units. Spinal epidural stimulation can initiate excitability changes in spinal networks and supraspinal networks. Different stimulation parameters can facilitate standing or stepping, and it may also have potential for augmenting myriad other sensorimotor and autonomic functions. More comprehensive investigation of the mechanisms that mediate the transformation of dysfunctional spinal networks to higher functional states with a greater focus on integrated systems-based control system may reveal the key mechanisms underlying neurological augmentation and motor restoration after severe paralysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan T Hachmann
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Andrew Yousak
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Josephine J Wallner
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Parag N Gad
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - V Reggie Edgerton
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Fundación Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ashraf S Gorgey
- Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders Center, Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC, Richmond, Virginia
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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23
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Invasive and Non-Invasive Approaches of Electrical Stimulation to Improve Physical Functioning after Spinal Cord Injury. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10225356. [PMID: 34830637 PMCID: PMC8625266 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10225356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This review of literature provides the latest evidence involving invasive and non-invasive uses of electrical stimulation therapies that assist in restoring functional abilities and the enhancement of quality of life in those with spinal cord injuries. The review includes neuromuscular electrical stimulation and functional electrical stimulation activities that promote improved body composition changes and increased muscular strength, which have been shown to improve abilities in activities of daily living. Recommendations for optimizing electrical stimulation parameters are also reported. Electrical stimulation is also used to enhance the skills of reaching, grasping, standing, and walking, among other activities of daily living. Additionally, we report on the use of invasive and non-invasive neuromodulation techniques targeting improved mobility, including standing, postural control, and assisted walking. We attempt to summarize the effects of epidural stimulation on cardiovascular performance and provide a mechanistic explanation to the current research findings. Future trends such as the combination of epidural stimulation and exoskeletal-assisted walking are also discussed.
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24
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Peripheral Immune Dysfunction: A Problem of Central Importance after Spinal Cord Injury. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10090928. [PMID: 34571804 PMCID: PMC8470244 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Spinal cord injury can result in an increased vulnerability to infections, but until recently the biological mechanisms behind this observation were not well defined. Immunosuppression and concurrent sustained peripheral inflammation after spinal cord injury have been observed in preclinical and clinical studies, now termed spinal cord injury-induced immune depression syndrome. Recent research indicates a key instigator of this immune dysfunction is altered sympathetic input to lymphoid organs, such as the spleen, resulting in a wide array of secondary effects that can, in turn, exacerbate immune pathology. In this review, we discuss what we know about immune dysfunction after spinal cord injury, why it occurs, and how we might treat it. Abstract Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) exhibit increased susceptibility to infection, with pneumonia consistently ranking as a leading cause of death. Despite this statistic, chronic inflammation and concurrent immune suppression have only recently begun to be explored mechanistically. Investigators have now identified numerous changes that occur in the peripheral immune system post-SCI, including splenic atrophy, reduced circulating lymphocytes, and impaired lymphocyte function. These effects stem from maladaptive changes in the spinal cord after injury, including plasticity within the spinal sympathetic reflex circuit that results in exaggerated sympathetic output in response to peripheral stimulation below injury level. Such pathological activity is particularly evident after a severe high-level injury above thoracic spinal cord segment 6, greatly increasing the risk of the development of sympathetic hyperreflexia and subsequent disrupted regulation of lymphoid organs. Encouragingly, studies have presented evidence for promising therapies, such as modulation of neuroimmune activity, to improve regulation of peripheral immune function. In this review, we summarize recent publications examining (1) how various immune functions and populations are affected, (2) mechanisms behind SCI-induced immune dysfunction, and (3) potential interventions to improve SCI individuals’ immunological function to strengthen resistance to potentially deadly infections.
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25
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Malone IG, Nosacka RL, Nash MA, Otto KJ, Dale EA. Electrical epidural stimulation of the cervical spinal cord: implications for spinal respiratory neuroplasticity after spinal cord injury. J Neurophysiol 2021; 126:607-626. [PMID: 34232771 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00625.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (cSCI) can lead to damage of bulbospinal pathways to the respiratory motor nuclei and consequent life-threatening respiratory insufficiency due to respiratory muscle paralysis/paresis. Reports of electrical epidural stimulation (EES) of the lumbosacral spinal cord to enable locomotor function after SCI are encouraging, with some evidence of facilitating neural plasticity. Here, we detail the development and success of EES in recovering locomotor function, with consideration of stimulation parameters and safety measures to develop effective EES protocols. EES is just beginning to be applied in other motor, sensory, and autonomic systems; however, there has only been moderate success in preclinical studies aimed at improving breathing function after cSCI. Thus, we explore the rationale for applying EES to the cervical spinal cord, targeting the phrenic motor nucleus for the restoration of breathing. We also suggest cellular/molecular mechanisms by which EES may induce respiratory plasticity, including a brief examination of sex-related differences in these mechanisms. Finally, we suggest that more attention be paid to the effects of specific electrical parameters that have been used in the development of EES protocols and how that can impact the safety and efficacy for those receiving this therapy. Ultimately, we aim to inform readers about the potential benefits of EES in the phrenic motor system and encourage future studies in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian G Malone
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center (BREATHE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Rachel L Nosacka
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Marissa A Nash
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Kevin J Otto
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center (BREATHE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Erica A Dale
- Breathing Research and Therapeutics Center (BREATHE), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
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26
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Zaaya M, Pulverenti TS, Knikou M. Transspinal stimulation and step training alter function of spinal networks in complete spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2021; 7:55. [PMID: 34218255 DOI: 10.1038/s41394-021-00421-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Pilot study (case series). OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to establish spinal neurophysiological changes following high-frequency transspinal stimulation during robot-assisted step training in individuals with chronic motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING University research laboratory (Klab4Recovery). METHODS Four individuals with motor complete SCI received an average of 18 sessions of transspinal stimulation over the thoracolumbar region with a pulse train at 333 Hz during robotic-assisted step training. Each session lasted ~1 h, with an average of 240 stimulations delivered during each training session. Before and after the combined intervention, we evaluated the amplitude modulation of the long-latency tibialis anterior (TA) flexion reflex and transspinal evoked potentials (TEP) recorded from flexors and extensors during assisted stepping, and the TEP recruitment curves at rest. RESULTS The long-latency TA flexion reflex was depressed in all phases of the step cycle and the phase-dependent amplitude modulation of TEPs was altered during assisted stepping, while spinal motor output based on TEP recruitment curves was increased after the combined intervention. CONCLUSION This is the first study documenting noninvasive transspinal stimulation coupled with locomotor training depresses flexion reflex excitability and concomitantly increases motoneuron output over multiple spinal segments for both flexors and extensors in people with motor complete SCI. While both transspinal stimulation and locomotor training may act via similar activity-dependent neuroplasticity mechanisms, combined interventions for rehabilitation of neurological disorders has not been systematically assessed. Our current findings support locomotor training induced neuroplasticity may be augmented with transspinal stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morad Zaaya
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, New York, NY, USA
| | - Timothy S Pulverenti
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, New York, NY, USA.,PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
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27
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Herrity AN, Hubscher CH, Angeli CA, Boakye M, Harkema SJ. Impact of long-term epidural electrical stimulation enabled task-specific training on secondary conditions of chronic paraplegia in two humans. J Spinal Cord Med 2021; 44:513-514. [PMID: 34270394 PMCID: PMC8288117 DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2021.1918967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- April N. Herrity
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA,Correspondence to: April N. Herrity. E-mail:
| | - Charles H. Hubscher
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA,Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Claudia A. Angeli
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA,Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Maxwell Boakye
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Susan J. Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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28
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Cajigas I, Vedantam A. Brain-Computer Interface, Neuromodulation, and Neurorehabilitation Strategies for Spinal Cord Injury. Neurosurg Clin N Am 2021; 32:407-417. [PMID: 34053728 DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2021.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
As neural bypass interfacing, neuromodulation, and neurorehabilitation continue to evolve, there is growing recognition that combination therapies may achieve superior results. This article briefly introduces these broad areas of active research and lays out some of the current evidence for their use for patients with spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iahn Cajigas
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami, 1095 Northwest 14th Terrace (D4-6), Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Aditya Vedantam
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Miami, 1095 Northwest 14th Terrace (D4-6), Miami, FL 33136, USA
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29
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Mesbah S, Ball T, Angeli C, Rejc E, Dietz N, Ugiliweneza B, Harkema S, Boakye M. Predictors of volitional motor recovery with epidural stimulation in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury. Brain 2021; 144:420-433. [PMID: 33367527 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) has enabled volitional lower extremity movements in individuals with chronic and clinically motor complete spinal cord injury and no clinically detectable brain influence. The aim of this study was to understand whether the individuals' neuroanatomical characteristics or positioning of the scES electrode were important factors influencing the extent of initial recovery of lower limb voluntary movements in those with clinically motor complete paralysis. We hypothesized that there would be significant correlations between the number of joints moved during attempts with scES prior to any training interventions and the amount of cervical cord atrophy above the injury, length of post-traumatic myelomalacia and the amount of volume coverage of lumbosacral enlargement by the stimulation electrode array. The clinical and imaging records of 20 individuals with chronic and clinically motor complete spinal cord injury who underwent scES implantation were reviewed and analysed using MRI and X-ray integration, image segmentation and spinal cord volumetric reconstruction techniques. All individuals that participated in the scES study (n = 20) achieved, to some extent, lower extremity voluntary movements post scES implant and prior to any locomotor, voluntary movement or cardiovascular training. The correlation results showed that neither the cross-section area of spinal cord at C3 (n = 19, r = 0.33, P = 0.16) nor the length of severe myelomalacia (n = 18, r = -0.02, P = 0.93) correlated significantly with volitional lower limb movement ability. However, there was a significant, moderate correlation (n = 20, r = 0.59, P = 0.006) between the estimated percentage of the lumbosacral enlargement coverage by the paddle electrode as well as the position of the paddle relative to the maximal lumbosacral enlargement and the conus tip (n = 20, r = 0.50, P = 0.026) with the number of joints moved volitionally. These results suggest that greater coverage of the lumbosacral enlargement by scES may improve motor recovery prior to any training, possibly because of direct modulatory effects on the spinal networks that control lower extremity movements indicating the significant role of motor control at the level of the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samineh Mesbah
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Tyler Ball
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Claudia Angeli
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Frazier Rehab Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Enrico Rejc
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Nicholas Dietz
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Beatrice Ugiliweneza
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Susan Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Frazier Rehab Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Maxwell Boakye
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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30
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Ueno M. Restoring neuro-immune circuitry after brain and spinal cord injuries. Int Immunol 2021; 33:311-325. [PMID: 33851981 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxab017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuro-immune interactions are essential for our body's defense and homeostasis. Anatomical and physiological analyses have shown that the nervous system comprises multiple pathways that regulate the dynamics and functions of immune cells, which are mainly mediated by the autonomic nervous system and adrenal signals. These are disturbed when the neurons and circuits are damaged by diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Injuries caused by stroke or trauma often cause immune dysfunction by abrogation of the immune-regulating neural pathways, which leads to an increased risk of infections. Here, I review the structures and functions of the neural pathways connecting the brain and the immune system, and the neurogenic mechanisms of immune dysfunction that emerge after CNS injuries. Recent technological advances in manipulating specific neural circuits have added mechanistic aspects of neuro-immune interactions and their dysfunctions. Understanding the neural bases of immune control and their pathological processes will deepen our knowledge of homeostasis and lead to the development of strategies to cure immune deficiencies observed in various CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Ueno
- Department of System Pathology for Neurological Disorders, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Niigata 951-8585, Japan
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31
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Boakye M, Ugiliweneza B, Madrigal F, Mesbah S, Ovechkin A, Angeli C, Bloom O, Wecht JW, Ditterline B, Harel NY, Kirshblum S, Forrest G, Wu S, Harkema S, Guest J. Clinical Trial Designs for Neuromodulation in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Using Epidural Stimulation. Neuromodulation 2021; 24:405-415. [PMID: 33794042 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN This is a narrative review focused on specific challenges related to adequate controls that arise in neuromodulation clinical trials involving perceptible stimulation and physiological effects of stimulation activation. OBJECTIVES 1) To present the strengths and limitations of available clinical trial research designs for the testing of epidural stimulation to improve recovery after spinal cord injury. 2) To describe how studies can control for the placebo effects that arise due to surgical implantation, the physical presence of the battery, generator, control interfaces, and rehabilitative activity aimed to promote use-dependent plasticity. 3) To mitigate Hawthorne effects that may occur in clinical trials with intensive supervised participation, including rehabilitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Focused literature review of neuromodulation clinical trials with integration to the specific context of epidural stimulation for persons with chronic spinal cord injury. CONCLUSIONS Standard of care control groups fail to control for the multiple effects of knowledge of having undergone surgical procedures, having implanted stimulation systems, and being observed in a clinical trial. The irreducible effects that have been identified as "placebo" require sham controls or comparison groups in which both are implanted with potentially active devices and undergo similar rehabilitative training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell Boakye
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Beatrice Ugiliweneza
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Health Management and Systems Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Fabian Madrigal
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Samineh Mesbah
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Alexander Ovechkin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Claudia Angeli
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Ona Bloom
- Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell, Manhasset, NY, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra Northwell, Manhasset, NY, USA.,James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Jill W Wecht
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.,The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bonnie Ditterline
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Noam Y Harel
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.,The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Steven Kirshblum
- Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NY, USA.,Human Performance and Engineering Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, NJ, USA
| | - Gail Forrest
- Human Performance and Engineering Research, Kessler Foundation, West Orange, NJ, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Samuel Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, CTSI Data Coordinating Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Susan Harkema
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - James Guest
- Neurological Surgery, and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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32
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Squair JW, Gautier M, Mahe L, Soriano JE, Rowald A, Bichat A, Cho N, Anderson MA, James ND, Gandar J, Incognito AV, Schiavone G, Sarafis ZK, Laskaratos A, Bartholdi K, Demesmaeker R, Komi S, Moerman C, Vaseghi B, Scott B, Rosentreter R, Kathe C, Ravier J, McCracken L, Kang X, Vachicouras N, Fallegger F, Jelescu I, Cheng Y, Li Q, Buschman R, Buse N, Denison T, Dukelow S, Charbonneau R, Rigby I, Boyd SK, Millar PJ, Moraud EM, Capogrosso M, Wagner FB, Barraud Q, Bezard E, Lacour SP, Bloch J, Courtine G, Phillips AA. Neuroprosthetic baroreflex controls haemodynamics after spinal cord injury. Nature 2021; 590:308-314. [PMID: 33505019 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-03180-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces haemodynamic instability that threatens survival1-3, impairs neurological recovery4,5, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease6,7, and reduces quality of life8,9. Haemodynamic instability in this context is due to the interruption of supraspinal efferent commands to sympathetic circuits located in the spinal cord10, which prevents the natural baroreflex from controlling these circuits to adjust peripheral vascular resistance. Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) of the spinal cord has been shown to compensate for interrupted supraspinal commands to motor circuits below the injury11, and restored walking after paralysis12. Here, we leveraged these concepts to develop EES protocols that restored haemodynamic stability after SCI. We established a preclinical model that enabled us to dissect the topology and dynamics of the sympathetic circuits, and to understand how EES can engage these circuits. We incorporated these spatial and temporal features into stimulation protocols to conceive a clinical-grade biomimetic haemodynamic regulator that operates in a closed loop. This 'neuroprosthetic baroreflex' controlled haemodynamics for extended periods of time in rodents, non-human primates and humans, after both acute and chronic SCI. We will now conduct clinical trials to turn the neuroprosthetic baroreflex into a commonly available therapy for people with SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan W Squair
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,MD/PhD Training Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,RestoreNetwork, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Matthieu Gautier
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lois Mahe
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jan Elaine Soriano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,RestoreNetwork, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andreas Rowald
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Arnaud Bichat
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Newton Cho
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark A Anderson
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicholas D James
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jerome Gandar
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Anthony V Incognito
- RestoreNetwork, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Giuseppe Schiavone
- Centre for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Microengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Zoe K Sarafis
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Achilleas Laskaratos
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kay Bartholdi
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Robin Demesmaeker
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Salif Komi
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Moerman
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Bita Vaseghi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Berkeley Scott
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,RestoreNetwork, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ryan Rosentreter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,RestoreNetwork, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Claudia Kathe
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jimmy Ravier
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laura McCracken
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Xiaoyang Kang
- Centre for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Microengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Vachicouras
- Centre for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Microengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Florian Fallegger
- Centre for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Microengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ileana Jelescu
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Qin Li
- Motac Neuroscience Ltd, Manchester, UK
| | | | | | - Tim Denison
- Department of Engineering Science and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sean Dukelow
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,RestoreNetwork, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Radiology, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rebecca Charbonneau
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,RestoreNetwork, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ian Rigby
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Steven K Boyd
- Department of Radiology, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Philip J Millar
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eduardo Martin Moraud
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marco Capogrosso
- Faculty of Biology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Fabien B Wagner
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Université de Bordeaux, UMR, 5293, Bordeaux, France
| | - Quentin Barraud
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Erwan Bezard
- Motac Neuroscience Ltd, Manchester, UK.,Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Université de Bordeaux, UMR, 5293, Bordeaux, France.,Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, CNRS, UMR, 5293, Bordeaux, France
| | - Stéphanie P Lacour
- Centre for Neuroprosthetics, Institute of Microengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jocelyne Bloch
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland.,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Grégoire Courtine
- Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies (.NeuroRestore), CHUV/UNIL/EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Aaron A Phillips
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. .,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. .,Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. .,International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. .,RestoreNetwork, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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Donovan J, Forrest G, Linsenmeyer T, Kirshblum S. Spinal Cord Stimulation After Spinal Cord Injury: Promising Multisystem Effects. CURRENT PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40141-020-00304-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Herrity AN, Aslan SC, Ugiliweneza B, Mohamed AZ, Hubscher CH, Harkema SJ. Improvements in Bladder Function Following Activity-Based Recovery Training With Epidural Stimulation After Chronic Spinal Cord Injury. Front Syst Neurosci 2021; 14:614691. [PMID: 33469421 PMCID: PMC7813989 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2020.614691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in profound neurologic impairment with widespread deficits in sensorimotor and autonomic systems. Voluntary and autonomic control of bladder function is disrupted resulting in possible detrusor overactivity, low compliance, and uncoordinated bladder and external urethral sphincter contractions impairing storage and/or voiding. Conservative treatments managing neurogenic bladder post-injury, such as oral pharmacotherapy and catheterization, are important components of urological surveillance and clinical care. However, as urinary complications continue to impact long-term morbidity in this population, additional therapeutic and rehabilitative approaches are needed that aim to improve function by targeting the recovery of underlying impairments. Several human and animal studies, including our previously published reports, have documented gains in bladder function due to activity-based recovery strategies, such as locomotor training. Furthermore, epidural stimulation of the spinal cord (scES) combined with intense activity-based recovery training has been shown to produce volitional lower extremity movement, standing, as well as improve the regulation of cardiovascular function. In our center, several participants anecdotally reported improvements in bladder function as a result of training with epidural stimulation configured for motor systems. Thus, in this study, the effects of activity-based recovery training in combination with scES were tested on bladder function, resulting in improvements in overall bladder storage parameters relative to a control cohort (no intervention). However, elevated blood pressure elicited during bladder distention, characteristic of autonomic dysreflexia, was not attenuated with training. We then examined, in a separate, large cross-sectional cohort, the interaction between detrusor pressure and blood pressure at maximum capacity, and found that the functional relationship between urinary bladder distention and blood pressure regulation is disrupted. Regardless of one’s bladder emptying method (indwelling suprapubic catheter vs. intermittent catheterization), autonomic instability can play a critical role in the ability to improve bladder storage, with SCI enhancing the vesico-vascular reflex. These results support the role of intersystem stimulation, integrating scES for both bladder and cardiovascular function to further improve bladder storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- April N Herrity
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Sevda C Aslan
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Beatrice Ugiliweneza
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Ahmad Z Mohamed
- Department of Urology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Charles H Hubscher
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States.,Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Susan J Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
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Bezdudnaya T, Lane MA, Marchenko V. Pharmacological disinhibition enhances paced breathing following complete spinal cord injury in rats. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2020; 282:103514. [PMID: 32750492 PMCID: PMC9793860 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2020.103514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory dysfunction is one of the most devastating and life-threatening deficits that occurs following cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Assisted breathing with mechanical ventilators is a necessary part of care for many cervical injured individuals, but it is also associated with increased risk of secondary complications such as infection, muscle atrophy and maladaptive plasticity. Pre-clinical studies with epidural stimulation (EDS) have identified it as an alternative/additional method to support adequate lung ventilation without mechanical assistance. The full potential of EDS, however, may be limited by spinal inhibitory mechanisms within the injured spinal cord. The goal of the present work is to assess the potential improvement for EDS in combination with pharmacological disinhibition of spinal circuits following complete high cervical SCI. All experiments were performed in decerebrate, unanesthetized, non-paralyzed (n = 13) and paralyzed (n = 8) adult Sprague-Dawley rats 6 h following a complete C1 transection. The combination of high-frequency EDS (HF-EDS) at the C4 spinal segment with intrathecal delivery of GABA and glycine receptors antagonists (GABAzine and strychnine, respectively) resulted in significantly increased phrenic motor output, tidal volume and amplitude of diaphragm electrical activity compared to HF-EDS alone. Thus, it appears that spinal fast inhibitory mechanisms limit phrenic motor output and present a new neuropharmacological target to improve paced breathing in individuals with cervical SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Bezdudnaya
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, United States
| | - M A Lane
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, United States
| | - V Marchenko
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, 19129, United States; Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Anesthesiology, 8701 W Watertown Plank Rd, Wauwatosa, WI, 53226, United States.
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36
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Legg Ditterline BE, Wade S, Ugiliweneza B, Singam NS, Harkema SJ, Stoddard MF, Hirsch GA. Beneficial Cardiac Structural and Functional Adaptations After Lumbosacral Spinal Cord Epidural Stimulation and Task-Specific Interventions: A Pilot Study. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:554018. [PMID: 33192245 PMCID: PMC7643015 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.554018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac myocyte atrophy and the resulting decreases to the left ventricular mass and dimensions are well documented in spinal cord injury. Therapeutic interventions that increase preload can increase the chamber size and improve the diastolic filling ratios; however, there are no data describing cardiac adaptation to chronic afterload increases. Research from our center has demonstrated that spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) can normalize arterial blood pressure, so we decided to investigate the effects of scES on cardiac function using echocardiography. Four individuals with chronic, motor-complete cervical spinal cord injury were implanted with a stimulator over the lumbosacral enlargement. We assessed the cardiac structure and function at the following time points: (a) prior to implantation; (b) after scES targeted to increase systolic blood pressure; (c) after the addition of scES targeted to facilitate voluntary (i.e., with intent) movement of the trunk and lower extremities; and (d) after the addition of scES targeted to facilitate independent, overground standing. We found significant improvements to the cardiac structure (left ventricular mass = 10 ± 2 g, p < 0.001; internal dimension during diastole = 0.1 ± 0.04 cm, p < 0.05; internal dimension during systole = 0.06 ± 0.03 cm, p < 0.05; interventricular septum dimension = 0.04 ± 0.02 cm, p < 0.05), systolic function (ejection fraction = 1 ± 0.4%, p < 0.05; velocity time integral = 2 ± 0.4 cm, p < 0.001; stroke volume = 4.4 ± 1.5 ml, p < 0.01), and diastolic function (mitral valve deceleration time = -32 ± 11 ms, p < 0.05; mitral valve deceleration slope = 50 ± 25 cm s-1, p < 0.05; isovolumic relaxation time = -6 ± 1.9 ms, p < 0.05) with each subsequent scES intervention. Despite the pilot nature of this study, statistically significant improvements to the cardiac structure, systolic function, and diastolic function demonstrate that scES combined with task-specific interventions led to beneficial cardiac remodeling, which can reverse atrophic changes that result from spinal cord injury. Long-term improvements to cardiac function have implications for increased quality of life and improved cardiovascular health in individuals with spinal cord injury, decreasing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie E. Legg Ditterline
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
- Department of NeuroSurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Shelley Wade
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Beatrice Ugiliweneza
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
- Department of NeuroSurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Narayana Sarma Singam
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Susan J. Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
- Department of NeuroSurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Marcus F. Stoddard
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Glenn A. Hirsch
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, United States
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Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injury: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management. Semin Neurol 2020; 40:550-559. [PMID: 32906175 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts autonomic circuits and impairs synchronistic functioning of the autonomic nervous system, leading to inadequate cardiovascular regulation. Individuals with SCI, particularly at or above the sixth thoracic vertebral level (T6), often have impaired regulation of sympathetic vasoconstriction of the peripheral vasculature and the splanchnic circulation, and diminished control of heart rate and cardiac output. In addition, impaired descending sympathetic control results in changes in circulating levels of plasma catecholamines, which can have a profound effect on cardiovascular function. Although individuals with lesions below T6 often have normal resting blood pressures, there is evidence of increases in resting heart rate and inadequate cardiovascular response to autonomic provocations such as the head-up tilt and cold face tests. This manuscript reviews the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders given the level, duration and severity of SCI, the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, short- and long-term consequences, and empirical evidence supporting management strategies to treat cardiovascular dysfunction following a SCI.
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Eisdorfer JT, Smit RD, Keefe KM, Lemay MA, Smith GM, Spence AJ. Epidural Electrical Stimulation: A Review of Plasticity Mechanisms That Are Hypothesized to Underlie Enhanced Recovery From Spinal Cord Injury With Stimulation. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:163. [PMID: 33013317 PMCID: PMC7497436 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in life-long sensorimotor impairment. Spontaneous recovery from SCI is limited, as supraspinal fibers cannot spontaneously regenerate to form functional networks below the level of injury. Despite this, animal models and humans exhibit many motor behaviors indicative of recovery when electrical stimulation is applied epidurally to the dorsal aspect of the lumbar spinal cord. In 1976, epidural stimulation was introduced to alleviate spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis. Since then, epidural electrical stimulation (EES) has been demonstrated to improve voluntary mobility across the knee and/or ankle in several SCI patients, highlighting its utility in enhancing motor activation. The mechanisms that EES induces to drive these improvements in sensorimotor function remain largely unknown. In this review, we discuss several sensorimotor plasticity mechanisms that we hypothesize may enable epidural stimulation to promote recovery, including changes in local lumbar circuitry, propriospinal interneurons, and the internal model. Finally, we discuss genetic tools for afferent modulation as an emerging method to facilitate the search for the mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn T Eisdorfer
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Rupert D Smit
- Department of Neuroscience, Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kathleen M Keefe
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michel A Lemay
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - George M Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Andrew J Spence
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Legg Ditterline B, Harkema SJ, Willhite A, Stills S, Ugiliweneza B, Rejc E. Epidural stimulation for cardiovascular function increases lower limb lean mass in individuals with chronic motor complete spinal cord injury. Exp Physiol 2020; 105:1684-1691. [PMID: 32749719 DOI: 10.1113/ep088876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? Spinal cord injury results in paralysis and deleterious neuromuscular and autonomic adaptations. Lumbosacral epidural stimulation can modulate motor and/or autonomic functions. Does long-term epidural stimulation for normalizing cardiovascular function affect leg muscle properties? What is the main finding and its importance? Leg lean mass increased after long-term epidural stimulation for cardiovascular function, which was applied in the sitting position and did not activate the leg muscles. Leg muscle strength and fatigue resistance, assessed in a subgroup of individuals, also increased. These adaptations might support interventions for motor recovery and warrant further mechanistic investigation. ABSTRACT Chronic motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI) results in paralysis and deleterious neuromuscular and autonomic adaptations. Paralysed muscles demonstrate atrophy, loss of force and increased fatigability. Also, SCI-induced autonomic impairment results in persistently low resting blood pressure and heart rate, among other features. We previously reported that spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) optimized for cardiovascular (CV) function (CV-scES), which is applied in sitting position and does not activate the leg muscles, can maintain systolic blood pressure within a normotensive range during quiet sitting and during orthostatic stress. In the present study, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry collected from six individuals with chronic clinically motor complete SCI demonstrated that 88 ± 11 sessions of CV-scES (7 days week-1 ; 2 h day-1 in four individuals and 5 h day-1 in two individuals) over a period of ∼6 months significantly increased lower limb lean mass (by 0.67 ± 0.39 kg or 9.4 ± 8.1%; P < 0.001). Additionally, muscle strength and fatigability data elicited by neuromuscular electrical stimulation in three of these individuals demonstrated a general increase (57 ± 117%) in maximal torque output (between 2 and 44 N m in 14 of the 17 muscle groups tested overall) and torque-time integral during intermittent, fatiguing contractions (63 ± 71%; between 7 and 230% in 16 of the 17 muscle groups tested overall). In contrast, whole-body mass and composition did not change significantly. In conclusion, long-term use of CV-scES can have a significant impact on lower limb muscle properties after chronic motor complete SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie Legg Ditterline
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Susan J Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, University of Louisville Health, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Andrea Willhite
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Sean Stills
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Beatrice Ugiliweneza
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Enrico Rejc
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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40
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Jack AS, Hurd C, Martin J, Fouad K. Electrical Stimulation as a Tool to Promote Plasticity of the Injured Spinal Cord. J Neurotrauma 2020; 37:1933-1953. [PMID: 32438858 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike their peripheral nervous system counterparts, the capacity of central nervous system neurons and axons for regeneration after injury is minimal. Although a myriad of therapies (and different combinations thereof) to help promote repair and recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) have been trialed, few have progressed from bench-top to bedside. One of the few such therapies that has been successfully translated from basic science to clinical applications is electrical stimulation (ES). Although the use and study of ES in peripheral nerve growth dates back nearly a century, only recently has it started to be used in a clinical setting. Since those initial experiments and seminal publications, the application of ES to restore function and promote healing have greatly expanded. In this review, we discuss the progression and use of ES over time as it pertains to promoting axonal outgrowth and functional recovery post-SCI. In doing so, we consider four major uses for the study of ES based on the proposed or documented underlying mechanism: (1) using ES to introduce an electric field at the site of injury to promote axonal outgrowth and plasticity; (2) using spinal cord ES to activate or to increase the excitability of neuronal networks below the injury; (3) using motor cortex ES to promote corticospinal tract axonal outgrowth and plasticity; and (4) leveraging the timing of paired stimuli to produce plasticity. Finally, the use of ES in its current state in the context of human SCI studies is discussed, in addition to ongoing research and current knowledge gaps, to highlight the direction of future studies for this therapeutic modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S Jack
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Caitlin Hurd
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - John Martin
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, City University of New York School of Medicine, and City University of New York Graduate Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Karim Fouad
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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41
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Legg Ditterline BE, Aslan SC, Wang S, Ugiliweneza B, Hirsch GA, Wecht JM, Harkema S. Restoration of autonomic cardiovascular regulation in spinal cord injury with epidural stimulation: a case series. Clin Auton Res 2020; 31:317-320. [PMID: 32405661 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-020-00693-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie E Legg Ditterline
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Sevda C Aslan
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Siqi Wang
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Beatrice Ugiliweneza
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Glenn A Hirsch
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA.,Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Jill M Wecht
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.,VA RR&D Service Center for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury, Bronx, NY, USA.,Departments of Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Susan Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. .,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. .,Frazier Rehabilitation Institute, 220 Abraham Flexner Way, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
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42
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Kreydin E, Zhong H, Latack K, Ye S, Edgerton VR, Gad P. Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Neuromodulator (TESCoN) Improves Symptoms of Overactive Bladder. Front Syst Neurosci 2020; 14:1. [PMID: 32116576 PMCID: PMC7017715 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2020.00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromodulation is a therapeutic technique that is well-established in the treatment of idiopathic Lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction such as overactive bladder (OAB). We have recently developed a novel neuromodulation approach, Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Neuromodulation (TESCoN) and demonstrated its acute effects on LUT dysfunction after spinal cord injury (SCI) during urodynamic studies. We found that TESCoN can promote urinary storage and induce urinary voiding when delivered during urodynamic studies. The objective of this study was to determine whether TESCoN can retrain the spinal neural networks to induce chronic improvement in the LUT, such that positive changes can persist even in the absence of stimulation. In addition, we wished to examine the effect of TESCoN on LUT dysfunction due to multiple pathologies. To achieve this objective, 14 patients [SCI = 5, stroke = 5, multiple sclerosis (MS) = 3, and idiopathic OAB (iOAB) = 1] completed 24 sessions of TESCoN over the course of 8 weeks. Patients completed urodynamic studies before and after undergoing TESCoN therapy. Additionally, each subject completed a voiding diary and the Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score questionnaire before and after receiving TESCoN therapy. We found that TESCoN led to decreased detrusor overactivity, improved continence, and enhanced LUT sensation across the different pathologies underlying LUT dysfunction. This study serves as a pilot in preparation for a rigorous randomized placebo-controlled trial designed to demonstrate the effect of TESCoN on LUT function in neurogenic and non-neurogenic conditions. NEW AND NOTEWORTHY Non-Surgical modality to reduce incidence of urinary incontinence and improve neurogenic bladder symptom scores (NBSS) in individuals with neurogenic bladder due to spinal cord injury or stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniy Kreydin
- Institute of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Rancho Research Institute, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, United States
| | - Hui Zhong
- Rancho Research Institute, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kyle Latack
- Institute of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Rancho Research Institute, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, United States
| | - Shirley Ye
- Institute of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Rancho Research Institute, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, United States
| | - V. Reggie Edgerton
- Rancho Research Institute, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Institut Guttmann, Hospital de Neurorehabilitació, Institut Universitari adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- The Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Parag Gad
- Institute of Urology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Rancho Research Institute, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, United States
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- The Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
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43
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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: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [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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44
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Sarafis ZK, Monga AK, Phillips AA, Krassioukov AV. Is Technology for Orthostatic Hypotension Ready for Primetime? PM R 2019; 10:S249-S263. [PMID: 30269810 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in the devastating loss of motor, sensory, and autonomic function. After SCI, the interruption of descending sympathoexcitatory pathways disrupts supraspinal control of blood pressure (BP). A common clinical consequence of cardiovascular dysfunction after SCI is orthostatic hypotension (OH), a debilitating condition characterized by rapid profound decreases in BP when assuming an upright posture. OH can result in a diverse array of insidious and pernicious health consequences. Acute effects of OH include decreased cardiac filling, cerebral hypoperfusion, and associated presyncopal symptoms such as lightheadedness and dizziness. Over the long term, repetitive exposure to OH is associated with a drastically increased prevalence of heart attack and stroke, which are leading causes of death in those with SCI. Current recommendations for managing BP after SCI primarily include pharmacologic interventions with prolonged time to effect. Because most episodes of OH occur in less than 3 minutes, this delay in action often renders most pharmacologic interventions ineffective. New innovative technologies such as epidural and transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation are being explored to solve this problem. It might be possible to electrically stimulate sympathetic circuitry caudal to the injury and elicit rapid modulation of BP to manage OH. This review describes autonomic control of the cardiovascular system before injury, resulting cardiovascular consequences after SCI such as OH, and the clinical assessment tools for evaluating autonomic dysfunction after SCI. In addition, current approaches for clinically managing OH are outlined, and new promising interventions are described for managing this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe K Sarafis
- ICORD-BSCC, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada(∗)
| | - Aaron K Monga
- ICORD-BSCC, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada(†)
| | - Aaron A Phillips
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada(‡)
| | - Andrei V Krassioukov
- ICORD-BSCC; Experimental Medicine Program; Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia; GF Strong Rehabilitation Center, Vancouver Coastal Health; 818 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z1M9(§).
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45
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Harkema SJ, Legg Ditterline B, Wang S, Aslan S, Angeli CA, Ovechkin A, Hirsch GA. Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation Training and Sustained Recovery of Cardiovascular Function in Individuals With Chronic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury. JAMA Neurol 2019; 75:1569-1571. [PMID: 30242310 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.2617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Susan J Harkema
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville.,Frazier Rehab Institute, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Bonnie Legg Ditterline
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville.,Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Siqi Wang
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville.,Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Sevda Aslan
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville.,Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Claudia A Angeli
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville.,Frazier Rehab Institute, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Alexander Ovechkin
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville.,Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Glenn A Hirsch
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky
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46
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Calvert JS, Manson GA, Grahn PJ, Sayenko DG. Preferential activation of spinal sensorimotor networks via lateralized transcutaneous spinal stimulation in neurologically intact humans. J Neurophysiol 2019; 122:2111-2118. [PMID: 31553681 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00454.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS), a noninvasive technique to modulate sensorimotor circuitry within the spinal cord, has been shown to enable a wide range of functions that were thought to be permanently impaired in humans with spinal cord injury. However, the extent to which TSS can be used to target specific mediolateral spinal cord circuitry remains undefined. We tested the hypothesis that TSS applied unilaterally to the skin ~2 cm lateral to the midline of the lumbosacral spine selectively activates ipsilateral spinal sensorimotor circuitry, resulting in ipsilateral activation of downstream lower extremity neuromusculature. TSS cathodes and anodes were positioned lateral from the midline of the spine in 15 healthy subjects while supine, and the timing of TSS pulses was synchronized to recordings of lower extremity muscle activity and force. At motor threshold, left and right TSS-evoked muscle activity was significantly higher in the ipsilateral leg compared with contralateral recordings from the same muscles. Similarly, we observed a significant increase in force production in the ipsilateral leg compared with the contralateral leg. Delivery of paired TSS pulses, during which an initial stimulus was applied to one side of the spinal cord and 50 ms later a second stimulus was applied to the contralateral side, revealed that ipsilateral leg muscle responses decreased following the initial stimulus, whereas contralateral muscle responses did not decrease, indicating side-specific activation of lateral spinal sensorimotor circuitry. Our results indicate TSS can selectively engage ipsilateral neuromusculature via lumbosacral sensorimotor networks responsible for lower extremity function in healthy humans.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate the selectivity of transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS), which has been shown to enable function in humans with chronic paralysis. Specifically, we demonstrate that TSS applied to locations lateral to the spinal cord can selectively activate ipsilateral spinal sensorimotor networks. We quantified lumbosacral spinal network activity by recording lower extremity muscle electromyography and force. Our results suggest lumbosacral TSS engages side-specific spinal sensorimotor networks associated with ipsilateral lower extremity function in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S Calvert
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Gerome A Manson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Peter J Grahn
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.,Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Dimitry G Sayenko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
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47
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Cho N, Squair JW, Bloch J, Courtine G. Neurorestorative interventions involving bioelectronic implants after spinal cord injury. Bioelectron Med 2019; 5:10. [PMID: 32232100 PMCID: PMC7098222 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-019-0027-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the absence of approved treatments to repair damage to the central nervous system, the role of neurosurgeons after spinal cord injury (SCI) often remains confined to spinal cord decompression and vertebral fracture stabilization. However, recent advances in bioelectronic medicine are changing this landscape. Multiple neuromodulation therapies that target circuits located in the brain, midbrain, or spinal cord have been able to improve motor and autonomic functions. The spectrum of implantable brain-computer interface technologies is also expanding at a fast pace, and all these neurotechnologies are being progressively embedded within rehabilitation programs in order to augment plasticity of spared circuits and residual projections with training. Here, we summarize the impending arrival of bioelectronic medicine in the field of SCI. We also discuss the new role of functional neurosurgeons in neurorestorative interventional medicine, a new discipline at the intersection of neurosurgery, neuro-engineering, and neurorehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Newton Cho
- École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, 1202 Genève, Switzerland.,2Department of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Jordan W Squair
- École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, 1202 Genève, Switzerland.,3Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,4MD/PhD Training Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jocelyne Bloch
- 5Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.,6Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies, EPFL / CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Grégoire Courtine
- École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Campus Biotech, Center for Neuroprosthetics and Brain Mind Institute, 1202 Genève, Switzerland.,5Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.,6Defitech Center for Interventional Neurotherapies, EPFL / CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
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48
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Calvert JS, Grahn PJ, Strommen JA, Lavrov IA, Beck LA, Gill ML, Linde MB, Brown DA, Van Straaten MG, Veith DD, Lopez C, Sayenko DG, Gerasimenko YP, Edgerton VR, Zhao KD, Lee KH. Electrophysiological Guidance of Epidural Electrode Array Implantation over the Human Lumbosacral Spinal Cord to Enable Motor Function after Chronic Paralysis. J Neurotrauma 2019; 36:1451-1460. [PMID: 30430902 PMCID: PMC6482916 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.5921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidural electrical stimulation (EES) of the spinal cord has been shown to restore function after spinal cord injury (SCI). Characterization of EES-evoked motor responses has provided a basic understanding of spinal sensorimotor network activity related to EES-enabled motor activity of the lower extremities. However, the use of EES-evoked motor responses to guide EES system implantation over the spinal cord and their relation to post-operative EES-enabled function in humans with chronic paralysis attributed to SCI has yet to be described. Herein, we describe the surgical and intraoperative electrophysiological approach used, followed by initial EES-enabled results observed in 2 human subjects with motor complete paralysis who were enrolled in a clinical trial investigating the use of EES to enable motor functions after SCI. The 16-contact electrode array was initially positioned under fluoroscopic guidance. Then, EES-evoked motor responses were recorded from select leg muscles and displayed in real time to determine electrode array proximity to spinal cord regions associated with motor activity of the lower extremities. Acceptable array positioning was determined based on achievement of selective proximal or distal leg muscle activity, as well as bilateral muscle activation. Motor response latencies were not significantly different between intraoperative recordings and post-operative recordings, indicating that array positioning remained stable. Additionally, EES enabled intentional control of step-like activity in both subjects within the first 5 days of testing. These results suggest that the use of EES-evoked motor responses may guide intraoperative positioning of epidural electrodes to target spinal cord circuitry to enable motor functions after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S. Calvert
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Peter J. Grahn
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jeffrey A. Strommen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Igor A. Lavrov
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Lisa A. Beck
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Megan L. Gill
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Margaux B. Linde
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Desmond A. Brown
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Meegan G. Van Straaten
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Daniel D. Veith
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Cesar Lopez
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Dimitry G. Sayenko
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Center for Neuroregeneration, Department of Neurosurgery, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas
| | - Yury P. Gerasimenko
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Pavlov Institute of Physiology, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - V. Reggie Edgerton
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
- Institut Guttmann, Hospital de Neurorehabilitació, Institut Universitari adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kristin D. Zhao
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Kendall H. Lee
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
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49
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Song P, Cuellar CA, Tang S, Islam R, Wen H, Huang C, Manduca A, Trzasko JD, Knudsen BE, Lee KH, Chen S, Lavrov IA. Functional Ultrasound Imaging of Spinal Cord Hemodynamic Responses to Epidural Electrical Stimulation: A Feasibility Study. Front Neurol 2019; 10:279. [PMID: 30972010 PMCID: PMC6445046 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This study presents the first implementation of functional ultrasound (fUS) imaging of the spinal cord to monitor local hemodynamic response to epidural electrical spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on two small and large animal models. SCS has been successfully applied to control chronic refractory pain and recently was evolved to alleviate motor impairment in Parkinson's disease and after spinal cord injury. At present, however, the mechanisms underlying SCS remain unclear, and current methods for monitoring SCS are limited in their capacity to provide the required sensitivity and spatiotemporal resolutions to evaluate functional changes in response to SCS. fUS is an emerging technology that has recently shown promising results in monitoring a variety of neural activities associated with the brain. Here we demonstrated the feasibility of performing fUS on two animal models during SCS. We showed in vivo spinal cord hemodynamic responses measured by fUS evoked by different SCS parameters. We also demonstrated that fUS has a higher sensitivity in monitoring spinal cord response than electromyography. The high spatial and temporal resolutions of fUS were demonstrated by localized measurements of hemodynamic responses at different spinal cord segments, and by reliable tracking of spinal cord responses to patterned electrical stimulations, respectively. Finally, we proposed optimized fUS imaging and post-processing methods for spinal cord. These results support feasibility of fUS imaging of the spinal cord and could pave the way for future systematic studies to investigate spinal cord functional organization and the mechanisms of spinal cord neuromodulation in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Song
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Carlos A. Cuellar
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Shanshan Tang
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Riazul Islam
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Hai Wen
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Chengwu Huang
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Armando Manduca
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Bruce E. Knudsen
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Kendall H. Lee
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Shigao Chen
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Igor A. Lavrov
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
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50
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Murray LM, Knikou M. Transspinal stimulation increases motoneuron output of multiple segments in human spinal cord injury. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213696. [PMID: 30845251 PMCID: PMC6405126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted neuromodulation strategies that strengthen neuronal activity are in great need for restoring sensorimotor function after chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). In this study, we established changes in the motoneuron output of individuals with and without SCI after repeated noninvasive transspinal stimulation at rest over the thoracolumbar enlargement, the spinal location of leg motor circuits. Cases of motor incomplete and complete SCI were included to delineate potential differences when corticospinal motor drive is minimal. All 10 SCI and 10 healthy control subjects received daily monophasic transspinal stimuli of 1-ms duration at 0.2 Hz at right soleus transspinal evoked potential (TEP) subthreshold and suprathreshold intensities at rest. Before and two days after cessation of transspinal stimulation, we determined changes in TEP recruitment input-output curves, TEP amplitude at stimulation frequencies of 0.1, 0.125, 0.2, 0.33 and 1.0 Hz, and TEP postactivation depression upon transspinal paired stimuli at interstimulus intervals of 60, 100, 300, and 500 ms. TEPs were recorded at rest from bilateral ankle and knee flexor/extensor muscles. Repeated transspinal stimulation increased the motoneuron output over multiple segments. In control and complete SCI subjects, motoneuron output increased for knee muscles, while in motor incomplete SCI subjects motoneuron output increased for both ankle and knee muscles. In control subjects, TEPs homosynaptic and postactivation depression were present at baseline, and were potentiated for the distal ankle or knee flexor muscles. TEPs homosynaptic and postactivation depression at baseline depended on the completeness of the SCI, with minimal changes observed after transspinal stimulation. These results indicate that repeated transspinal stimulation increases spinal motoneuron responsiveness of ankle and knee muscles in the injured human spinal cord, and thus can promote motor recovery. This noninvasive neuromodulation method is a promising modality for promoting functional neuroplasticity after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda M. Murray
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, New York, United States of America
- PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
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