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Emmenegger TM, Pfyffer D, Curt A, Schading-Sassenhausen S, Hupp M, Ashburner J, Friston K, Weiskopf N, Thompson A, Freund P. Longitudinal motor system changes from acute to chronic spinal cord injury. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16196. [PMID: 38258488 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In acute spinal cord injury (SCI), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals tissue bridges and neurodegeneration for 2 years. This 5-year study aims to track initial lesion changes, subsequent neurodegeneration, and their impact on recovery. METHODS This prospective longitudinal study enrolled acute SCI patients and healthy controls who were assessed clinically-and by MRI-regularly from 3 days postinjury up to 60 months. We employed histologically cross-validated quantitative MRI sequences sensitive to volume, myelin, and iron changes, thereby reflecting indirectly processes of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. General linear models tracked lesion and remote changes in volume, myelin- and iron-sensitive magnetic resonance indices over 5 years. Associations between lesion, degeneration, and recovery (using the Spinal Cord Independence Measure [SCIM] questionnaire and the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury total motor score) were assessed. RESULTS Patients' motor scores improved by an average of 12.86 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.70-19.00) points, and SCIM by 26.08 (95% CI = 17.00-35.20) points. Within 3-28 days post-SCI, lesion size decreased by more than two-thirds (3 days: 302.52 ± 185.80 mm2 , 28 days: 76.77 ± 88.62 mm2 ), revealing tissue bridges. Cervical cord and corticospinal tract volumes transiently increased in SCI patients by 5% and 3%, respectively, accompanied by cervical myelin decreases and iron increases. Over time, progressive atrophy was observed in both regions, which was linked to early lesion dynamics. Tissue bridges, reduced swelling, and myelin content decreases were predictive of long-term motor score recovery and improved SCIM score. CONCLUSIONS Studying acute changes and their impact on longer follow-up provides insights into SCI trajectory, highlighting the importance of acute intervention while indicating the potential to influence outcomes in the later stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim M Emmenegger
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Pfyffer
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Systems Neuroscience and Pain Lab, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Markus Hupp
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - John Ashburner
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Karl Friston
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nikolaus Weiskopf
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
- Felix Bloch Institute for Solid State Physics, Faculty of Physics and Earth Sciences, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alan Thompson
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Patrick Freund
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Scheuber MI, Guidolin C, Martins S, Sartori AM, Hofer AS, Schwab ME. Electrical stimulation of the cuneiform nucleus enhances the effects of rehabilitative training on locomotor recovery after incomplete spinal cord injury. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1352742. [PMID: 38595973 PMCID: PMC11002271 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1352742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Most human spinal cord injuries are anatomically incomplete, leaving some fibers still connecting the brain with the sublesional spinal cord. Spared descending fibers of the brainstem motor control system can be activated by deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the cuneiform nucleus (CnF), a subnucleus of the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR). The MLR is an evolutionarily highly conserved structure which initiates and controls locomotion in all vertebrates. Acute electrical stimulation experiments in female adult rats with incomplete spinal cord injury conducted in our lab showed that CnF-DBS was able to re-establish a high degree of locomotion five weeks after injury, even in animals with initially very severe functional deficits and white matter lesions up to 80-95%. Here, we analyzed whether CnF-DBS can be used to support medium-intensity locomotor training and long-term recovery in rats with large but incomplete spinal cord injuries. Rats underwent rehabilitative training sessions three times per week in an enriched environment, either with or without CnF-DBS supported hindlimb stepping. After 4 weeks, animals that trained under CnF-DBS showed a higher level of locomotor performance than rats that trained comparable distances under non-stimulated conditions. The MLR does not project to the spinal cord directly; one of its main output targets is the gigantocellular reticular nucleus in the medulla oblongata. Long-term electrical stimulation of spared reticulospinal fibers after incomplete spinal cord injury via the CnF could enhance reticulospinal anatomical rearrangement and in this way lead to persistent improvement of motor function. By analyzing the spared, BDA-labeled giganto-spinal fibers we found that their gray matter arborization density after discontinuation of CnF-DBS enhanced training was lower in the lumbar L2 and L5 spinal cord in stimulated as compared to unstimulated animals, suggesting improved pruning with stimulation-enhanced training. An on-going clinical study in chronic paraplegic patients investigates the effects of CnF-DBS on locomotor capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam I. Scheuber
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
- ETH Phenomics Center, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carolina Guidolin
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
- ETH Phenomics Center, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Suzi Martins
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
- ETH Phenomics Center, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea M. Sartori
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
- ETH Phenomics Center, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anna-Sophie Hofer
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
- ETH Phenomics Center, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin E. Schwab
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
- ETH Phenomics Center, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Gillespie ER, Grice LF, Courtney IG, Lao HW, Jung W, Ramkomuth S, Xie J, Brown DA, Walsham J, Radford KJ, Nguyen QH, Ruitenberg MJ. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals peripheral blood leukocyte responses to spinal cord injury in mice with humanised immune systems. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:63. [PMID: 38429643 PMCID: PMC10908016 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03048-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Next-generation humanised mouse models and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) approaches enable in-depth studies into human immune cell biology. Here we used NSG-SGM3 mice engrafted with human umbilical cord haematopoietic stem cells to investigate how human immune cells respond to and/or are changed by traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). We hypothesised that the use of such mice could help advance our understanding of spinal cord injury-induced immune depression syndrome (SCI-IDS), and also how human leukocytes change as they migrate from the circulation into the lesion site. Our scRNAseq experiments, supplemented by flow cytometry, demonstrate the existence of up to 11 human immune cell (sub-) types and/or states across the blood and injured spinal cord (7 days post-SCI) of humanised NSG-SGM3 mice. Further comparisons of human immune cell transcriptomes between naïve, sham-operated and SCI mice identified a total of 579 differentially expressed genes, 190 of which were 'SCI-specific' (that is, genes regulated only in response to SCI but not sham surgery). Gene ontology analysis showed a prominent downregulation of immune cell function under SCI conditions, including for T cell receptor signalling and antigen presentation, confirming the presence of SCI-IDS and the transcriptional signature of human leukocytes in association with this phenomenon. We also highlight the activating influence of the local spinal cord lesion microenvironment by comparing the transcriptomes of circulating versus infiltrated human immune cells; those isolated from the lesion site were enriched for genes relating to both immune cell activity and function (e.g., oxidative phosphorylation, T cell proliferation and antigen presentation). We lastly applied an integrated bioinformatics approach to determine where immune responses in humanised NSG-SGM3 mice appear congruent to the native responses of human SCI patients, and where they diverge. Collectively, our study provides a valuable resource and methodological framework for the use of these mice in translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen R Gillespie
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Laura F Grice
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Isabel G Courtney
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Hong Wa Lao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Woncheol Jung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Sonny Ramkomuth
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jacky Xie
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David A Brown
- Neuroinflammation Research Group, Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Institute for Clinical Pathology, New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, Australia
| | - James Walsham
- Intensive Care Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
- Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kristen J Radford
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Quan H Nguyen
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Marc J Ruitenberg
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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Gordineer EA, Stokic DS, Krenn MJ. Distinguishing reflex from non-reflex responses elicited by transcutaneous spinal stimulation targeting the lumbosacral cord in healthy individuals. Exp Brain Res 2024:10.1007/s00221-024-06790-2. [PMID: 38416179 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-024-06790-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) studies rely on the depolarization of afferent fibers to provide input to the spinal cord; however, this has not been routinely ascertained. Thus, we aimed to characterize the types of responses evoked by TSS and establish paired-pulse ratio cutoffs that distinguish posterior root reflexes, evoked by stimulation of afferent nerve fibers, from motor responses, evoked by stimulation of efferent nerve fibers. Twelve neurologically intact participants (six women) underwent unipolar TSS (cathode over T11-12 spinal processes, anode paraumbilically) while resting supine. In six participants, unipolar TSS was repeated 2-3 months later and also compared to a bipolar TSS configuration (cathode 2.5 cm below T11-12, anode 5 cm above cathode). EMG signals were recorded from 16 leg muscles. A paired-pulse paradigm was applied at interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 ms. Responses were categorized by three assessors into reflexes, motor responses, or their combination (mixed responses) based on the visual presence/absence of paired-pulse suppression across ISIs. The paired-pulse ratio that best discriminated between response types was derived for each ISI. These cutoffs were validated by repeating unipolar TSS 2-3 months later and with bipolar TSS. Unipolar TSS evoked only reflexes (90%) and mixed responses (10%), which were mainly recorded in the quadriceps muscles (25-42%). Paired-pulse ratios of 0.51 (25-ms ISI) and 0.47 (50-ms ISI) best distinguished reflexes from mixed responses (100% sensitivity, > 99.2% specificity). These cutoffs performed well in the repeated unipolar TSS session (100% sensitivity, > 89% specificity). Bipolar TSS exclusively elicited reflexes which were all correctly classified. These results can be utilized in future studies to ensure that the input to the spinal cord originates from the depolarization of large afferents. This knowledge can be applied to improve the design of future neurophysiological studies and increase the fidelity of neuromodulation interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Gordineer
- School of Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery, Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Dobrivoje S Stokic
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery, Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Matthias J Krenn
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurological Recovery, Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N State St, Jackson, MS, 39216, USA.
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Willi R, Werner C, Demkó L, de Bie R, Filli L, Zörner B, Curt A, Bolliger M. Reliability of patient-specific gait profiles with inertial measurement units during the 2-min walk test in incomplete spinal cord injury. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3049. [PMID: 38321085 PMCID: PMC10847409 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53301-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Most established clinical walking tests assess specific aspects of movement function (velocity, endurance, etc.) but are generally unable to determine specific biomechanical or neurological deficits that limit an individual's ability to walk. Recently, inertial measurement units (IMU) have been used to collect objective kinematic data for gait analysis and could be a valuable extension for clinical assessments (e.g., functional walking measures). This study assesses the reliability of an IMU-based overground gait analysis during the 2-min walk test (2mWT) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Furthermore, the study elaborates on the capability of IMUs to distinguish between different gait characteristics in individuals with SCI. Twenty-six individuals (aged 22-79) with acute or chronic SCI (AIS: C and D) completed the 2mWT with IMUs attached above each ankle on 2 test days, separated by 1 to 7 days. The IMU-based gait analysis showed good to excellent test-retest reliability (ICC: 0.77-0.99) for all gait parameters. Gait profiles remained stable between two measurements. Sensor-based gait profiling was able to reveal patient-specific gait impairments even in individuals with the same walking performance in the 2mWT. IMUs are a valuable add-on to clinical gait assessments and deliver reliable information on detailed gait pathologies in individuals with SCI.Trial registration: NCT04555759.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Willi
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre Balgrist, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte Werner
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre Balgrist, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - László Demkó
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre Balgrist, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rob de Bie
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Linard Filli
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre Balgrist, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Center for Movement Analysis (SCMA), Balgrist Campus AG, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Björn Zörner
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre Balgrist, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre Balgrist, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marc Bolliger
- Spinal Cord Injury Centre Balgrist, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Lebret A, Lévy S, Pfender N, Farshad M, Altorfer FCS, Callot V, Curt A, Freund P, Seif M. Investigation of perfusion impairment in degenerative cervical myelopathy beyond the site of cord compression. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22660. [PMID: 38114733 PMCID: PMC10730822 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49896-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine tissue-specific blood perfusion impairment of the cervical cord above the compression site in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging. A quantitative MRI protocol, including structural and IVIM imaging, was conducted in healthy controls and patients. In patients, T2-weighted scans were acquired to quantify intramedullary signal changes, the maximal canal compromise, and the maximal cord compression. T2*-weighted MRI and IVIM were applied in all participants in the cervical cord (covering C1-C3 levels) to determine white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) cross-sectional areas (as a marker of atrophy), and tissue-specific perfusion indices, respectively. IVIM imaging resulted in microvascular volume fraction ([Formula: see text]), blood velocity ([Formula: see text]), and blood flow ([Formula: see text]) indices. DCM patients additionally underwent a standard neurological clinical assessment. Regression analysis assessed associations between perfusion parameters, clinical outcome measures, and remote spinal cord atrophy. Twenty-nine DCM patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. At the level of stenosis, 11 patients showed focal radiological evidence of cervical myelopathy. Above the stenosis level, cord atrophy was observed in the WM (- 9.3%; p = 0.005) and GM (- 6.3%; p = 0.008) in patients compared to healthy controls. Blood velocity (BV) and blood flow (BF) indices were decreased in the ventral horns of the GM (BV: - 20.1%, p = 0.0009; BF: - 28.2%, p = 0.0008), in the ventral funiculi (BV: - 18.2%, p = 0.01; BF: - 21.5%, p = 0.04) and lateral funiculi (BV: - 8.5%, p = 0.03; BF: - 16.5%, p = 0.03) of the WM, across C1-C3 levels. A decrease in microvascular volume fraction was associated with GM atrophy (R = 0.46, p = 0.02). This study demonstrates tissue-specific cervical perfusion impairment rostral to the compression site in DCM patients. IVIM indices are sensitive to remote perfusion changes in the cervical cord in DCM and may serve as neuroimaging biomarkers of hemodynamic impairment in future studies. The association between perfusion impairment and cervical cord atrophy indicates that changes in hemodynamics caused by compression may contribute to the neurodegenerative processes in DCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lebret
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Simon Lévy
- CNRS, CRMBM, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- APHM, CEMEREM, Hôpital Universitaire Timone, Marseille, France
- MR Research Collaborations, Siemens Healthcare Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nikolai Pfender
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mazda Farshad
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Virginie Callot
- CNRS, CRMBM, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- APHM, CEMEREM, Hôpital Universitaire Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Freund
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Wellcome Trust Center for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maryam Seif
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany.
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Štepánková K, Chudíčková M, Šimková Z, Martinez-Varea N, Kubinová Š, Urdzíková LM, Jendelová P, Kwok JCF. Low oral dose of 4-methylumbelliferone reduces glial scar but is insufficient to induce functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19183. [PMID: 37932336 PMCID: PMC10628150 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46539-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces the upregulation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) at the glial scar and inhibits neuroregeneration. Under normal physiological condition, CSPGs interact with hyaluronan (HA) and other extracellular matrix on the neuronal surface forming a macromolecular structure called perineuronal nets (PNNs) which regulate neuroplasticity. 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) is a known inhibitor for HA synthesis but has not been tested in SCI. We first tested the effect of 4-MU in HA reduction in uninjured rats. After 8 weeks of 4-MU administration at a dose of 1.2 g/kg/day, we have not only observed a reduction of HA in the uninjured spinal cords but also a down-regulation of CS glycosaminoglycans (CS-GAGs). In order to assess the effect of 4-MU in chronic SCI, six weeks after Th8 spinal contusion injury, rats were fed with 4-MU or placebo for 8 weeks in combination with daily treadmill rehabilitation for 16 weeks to promote neuroplasticity. 4-MU treatment reduced the HA synthesis by astrocytes around the lesion site and increased sprouting of 5-hydroxytryptamine fibres into ventral horns. However, the current dose was not sufficient to suppress CS-GAG up-regulation induced by SCI. Further adjustment on the dosage will be required to benefit functional recovery after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kateřina Štepánková
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, 1083, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Department of Neuroscience, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Milada Chudíčková
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Šimková
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Noelia Martinez-Varea
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Neuroscience, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Šárka Kubinová
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, 1083, Prague, Czech Republic
- Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, 182 21, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucia Machová Urdzíková
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, 1083, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Department of Neuroscience, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavla Jendelová
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, 1083, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Department of Neuroscience, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine, 15006, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jessica C F Kwok
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vídeňská, 1083, Prague, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
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Hodgkiss DD, Bhangu GS, Lunny C, Jutzeler CR, Chiou SY, Walter M, Lucas SJE, Krassioukov AV, Nightingale TE. Exercise and aerobic capacity in individuals with spinal cord injury: A systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004082. [PMID: 38011304 PMCID: PMC10712898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A low level of cardiorespiratory fitness [CRF; defined as peak oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]O2peak) or peak power output (PPO)] is a widely reported consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI) and a major risk factor associated with chronic disease. However, CRF can be modified by exercise. This systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression aimed to assess whether certain SCI characteristics and/or specific exercise considerations are moderators of changes in CRF. METHODS AND FINDINGS Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to March 2023. A primary meta-analysis was conducted including randomised controlled trials (RCTs; exercise interventions lasting >2 weeks relative to control groups). A secondary meta-analysis pooled independent exercise interventions >2 weeks from longitudinal pre-post and RCT studies to explore whether subgroup differences in injury characteristics and/or exercise intervention parameters explained CRF changes. Further analyses included cohort, cross-sectional, and observational study designs. Outcome measures of interest were absolute (A[Formula: see text]O2peak) or relative [Formula: see text]O2peak (R[Formula: see text]O2peak), and/or PPO. Bias/quality was assessed via The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 and the National Institute of Health Quality Assessment Tools. Certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Random effects models were used in all meta-analyses and meta-regressions. Of 21,020 identified records, 120 studies comprising 29 RCTs, 67 pre-post studies, 11 cohort, 7 cross-sectional, and 6 observational studies were included. The primary meta-analysis revealed significant improvements in A[Formula: see text]O2peak [0.16 (0.07, 0.25) L/min], R[Formula: see text]O2peak [2.9 (1.8, 3.9) mL/kg/min], and PPO [9 (5, 14) W] with exercise, relative to controls (p < 0.001). Ninety-six studies (117 independent exercise interventions comprising 1,331 adults with SCI) were included in the secondary, pooled meta-analysis which demonstrated significant increases in A[Formula: see text]O2peak [0.22 (0.17, 0.26) L/min], R[Formula: see text]O2peak [2.8 (2.2, 3.3) mL/kg/min], and PPO [11 (9, 13) W] (p < 0.001) following exercise interventions. There were subgroup differences for R[Formula: see text]O2peak based on exercise modality (p = 0.002) and intervention length (p = 0.01), but there were no differences for A[Formula: see text]O2peak. There were subgroup differences (p ≤ 0.018) for PPO based on time since injury, neurological level of injury, exercise modality, and frequency. The meta-regression found that studies with a higher mean age of participants were associated with smaller changes in A[Formula: see text]O2peak and R[Formula: see text]O2peak (p < 0.10). GRADE indicated a moderate level of certainty in the estimated effect for R[Formula: see text]O2peak, but low levels for A[Formula: see text]O2peak and PPO. This review may be limited by the small number of RCTs, which prevented a subgroup analysis within this specific study design. CONCLUSIONS Our primary meta-analysis confirms that performing exercise >2 weeks results in significant improvements to A[Formula: see text]O2peak, R[Formula: see text]O2peak, and PPO in individuals with SCI. The pooled meta-analysis subgroup comparisons identified that exercise interventions lasting up to 12 weeks yield the greatest change in R[Formula: see text]O2peak. Upper-body aerobic exercise and resistance training also appear the most effective at improving R[Formula: see text]O2peak and PPO. Furthermore, acutely injured, individuals with paraplegia, exercising for ≥3 sessions/week will likely experience the greatest change in PPO. Ageing seemingly diminishes the adaptive CRF responses to exercise training in individuals with SCI. REGISTRATION PROSPERO: CRD42018104342.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D. Hodgkiss
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Gurjeet S. Bhangu
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- MD Undergraduate Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Carole Lunny
- Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, and University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Catherine R. Jutzeler
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shin-Yi Chiou
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- MRC Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Trauma Science Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Walter
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Samuel J. E. Lucas
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Andrei V. Krassioukov
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tom E. Nightingale
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Centre for Trauma Science Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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9
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John NA, Solanky BS, De Angelis F, Parker RA, Weir CJ, Stutters J, Carrasco FP, Schneider T, Doshi A, Calvi A, Williams T, Plantone D, Monteverdi A, MacManus D, Marshall I, Barkhof F, Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott CAM, Chataway J. Longitudinal Metabolite Changes in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: A Study of 3 Potential Neuroprotective Treatments. J Magn Reson Imaging 2023. [PMID: 37787109 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 1 H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 H-MRS) may provide a direct index for the testing of medicines for neuroprotection and drug mechanisms in multiple sclerosis (MS) through measures of total N-acetyl-aspartate (tNAA), total creatine (tCr), myo-inositol (mIns), total-choline (tCho), and glutamate + glutamine (Glx). Neurometabolites may be associated with clinical disability with evidence that baseline neuroaxonal integrity is associated with upper limb function and processing speed in secondary progressive MS (SPMS). PURPOSE To assess the effect on neurometabolites from three candidate drugs after 96-weeks as seen by 1 H-MRS and their association with clinical disability in SPMS. STUDY-TYPE Longitudinal. POPULATION 108 participants with SPMS randomized to receive neuroprotective drugs amiloride [mean age 55.4 (SD 7.4), 61% female], fluoxetine [55.6 (6.6), 71%], riluzole [54.6 (6.3), 68%], or placebo [54.8 (7.9), 67%]. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3-Tesla. Chemical-shift-imaging 2D-point-resolved-spectroscopy (PRESS), 3DT1. ASSESSMENT Brain metabolites in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and gray matter (GM), brain volume, lesion load, nine-hole peg test (9HPT), and paced auditory serial addition test were measured at baseline and at 96-weeks. STATISTICAL TESTS Paired t-test was used to analyze metabolite changes in the placebo arm over 96-weeks. Metabolite differences between treatment arms and placebo; and associations between baseline metabolites and upper limb function/information processing speed at 96-weeks assessed using multiple linear regression models. P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS In the placebo arm, tCho increased in GM (mean difference = -0.32 IU) but decreased in NAWM (mean difference = 0.13 IU). Compared to placebo, in the fluoxetine arm, mIns/tCr was lower (β = -0.21); in the riluzole arm, GM Glx (β = -0.25) and Glx/tCr (β = -0.29) were reduced. Baseline tNAA(β = 0.22) and tNAA/tCr (β = 0.23) in NAWM were associated with 9HPT scores at 96-weeks. DATA CONCLUSION 1 H-MRS demonstrated altered membrane turnover over 96-weeks in the placebo group. It also distinguished changes in neuro-metabolites related to gliosis and glutaminergic transmission, due to fluoxetine and riluzole, respectively. Data show tNAA is a potential marker for upper limb function. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevin A John
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bhavana S Solanky
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Floriana De Angelis
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Richard A Parker
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher J Weir
- Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jonathan Stutters
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ferran Prados Carrasco
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), University College London, London, UK
- e-Health Center, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Torben Schneider
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anisha Doshi
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alberto Calvi
- Laboratory of Advanced Imaging in Neuroimmunological Diseases (imaginEM), Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer (FRCB-IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Thomas Williams
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Domenico Plantone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Anita Monteverdi
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Brain Connectivity Center, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia, Italy
| | - David MacManus
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ian Marshall
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), University College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), London, UK
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia A M Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Brain Connectivity Center, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia, Italy
| | - Jeremy Chataway
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
- National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), London, UK
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10
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Pieczonka K, Nakashima H, Nagoshi N, Yokota K, Hong J, Badner A, Chio JCT, Shibata S, Khazaei M, Fehlings MG. Human Spinal Oligodendrogenic Neural Progenitor Cells Enhance Pathophysiological Outcomes and Functional Recovery in a Clinically Relevant Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Rat Model. Stem Cells Transl Med 2023; 12:603-616. [PMID: 37616288 PMCID: PMC10502566 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szad044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) results in the loss of neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Present interventions for SCI include decompressive surgery, anti-inflammatory therapies, and rehabilitation programs. Nonetheless, these approaches do not offer regenerative solutions to replace the lost cells, fiber tracts, and circuits. Neural stem/progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising strategy that aims to encourage regeneration. However, NPC differentiation remains inconsistent, thus, contributing to suboptimal functional recovery. As such, we have previously engineered oligodendrogenically biased NPCs (oNPCs) and demonstrated their efficacy in a thoracic model of SCI. Since the majority of patients with SCI experience cervical injuries, our objective in the current study was to generate human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived oNPCs (hiPSC-oNPCs) and to characterize these cells in vitro and in vivo, utilizing a clinically relevant rodent model of cervical SCI. Following transplantation, the oNPCs engrafted, migrated to the rostral and caudal regions of the lesion, and demonstrated preferential differentiation toward oligodendrocytes. Histopathological evaluations revealed that oNPC transplantation facilitated tissue preservation while diminishing astrogliosis. Moreover, oNPC transplantation fostered remyelination of the spared tissue. Functional analyses indicated improved forelimb grip strength, gait, and locomotor function in the oNPC-transplanted rats. Importantly, oNPC transplantation did not exacerbate neuropathic pain or induce tumor formation. In conclusion, these findings underscore the therapeutic potential of oNPCs in promoting functional recovery and histopathological improvements in cervical SCI. This evidence warrants further investigation to optimize and advance this promising cell-based therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Pieczonka
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hiroaki Nakashima
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Narihito Nagoshi
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Orthopaedics, Keio University, Minatro City, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuya Yokota
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - James Hong
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna Badner
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathon C T Chio
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shinsuke Shibata
- Electron Microscope Laboratory, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mohamad Khazaei
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael G Fehlings
- Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery and Spinal Program, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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11
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Chu J, Glinsky JV, Liu H, Ben M, Spooren AI, Roberts S, Chen LW, Di Natal F, Tamburella F, Jørgensen V, Gollan EJ, Agostinello J, van Laake-Geelen C, Lincoln C, van der Lede J, Stolwijk JM, Bell C, Paddison S, Rainey D, Scivoletto G, Oostra KM, Jan S, Sherrington C, Harvey LA. Early and Intensive Motor Training for people with spinal cord injuries (the SCI-MT Trial): protocol of the process evaluation. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e072219. [PMID: 37643854 PMCID: PMC10465915 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People with spinal cord injury receive physical rehabilitation to promote neurological recovery. Physical rehabilitation commences as soon as possible when a person is medically stable. One key component of physical rehabilitation is motor training. There is initial evidence to suggest that motor training can enhance neurological recovery if it is provided soon after injury and in a high dosage. The Early and Intensive Motor Training Trial is a pragmatic randomised controlled trial to determine whether 10 weeks of intensive motor training enhances neurological recovery for people with spinal cord injury. This pragmatic randomised controlled trial will recruit 220 participants from 15 spinal injury units in Australia, Scotland, Italy, Norway, England, Belgium and the Netherlands. This protocol paper describes the process evaluation that will run alongside the Early and Intensive Motor Training Trial. This process evaluation will help to explain the trial results and explore the potential facilitators and barriers to the possible future rollout of the trial intervention. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The UK Medical Research Council process evaluation framework and the Implementation Research Logic Model will be used to explain the trial outcomes and inform future implementation. Key components of the context, implementation and mechanism of impact, as well as the essential elements of the intervention and outcomes, will be identified and analysed. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected and triangulated with the results of the Early and Intensive Motor Training Trial to strengthen the findings of this process evaluation. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval for the Early and Intensive Motor Training Trial and process evaluation has been obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee at the Northern Sydney Local Health District (New South Wales) in Australia (project identifier: 2020/ETH02540). All participants are required to provide written consent after being informed about the trial and the process evaluation. The results of this process evaluation will be published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12621000091808); Universal Trial Number (U1111-1264-1689).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackie Chu
- Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joanne V Glinsky
- Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hueiming Liu
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marsha Ben
- Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Sharon Roberts
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lydia W Chen
- Physiotherapy Department, Roayl North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fernanda Di Natal
- Physiotherapy Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Vivien Jørgensen
- Research Department, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway
| | - Emilie J Gollan
- Physiotherapy Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jacqui Agostinello
- Physiotherapy Department, Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, Kew, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charlotte van Laake-Geelen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Research School CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Adelante Centre of Expertise in Rehabilitation and Audiology, Hoensbroek, The Netherlands
| | - Claire Lincoln
- Physiotherapy Department, Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Jessica van der Lede
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Janneke M Stolwijk
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Chris Bell
- Physiotherapy Department, Repat Health Precinct, Daw Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sue Paddison
- London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Trust, Stanmore, UK
| | - Donna Rainey
- Spinal Injury Unit, Royal Rehab, Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Kristine M Oostra
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stephen Jan
- The George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Catherine Sherrington
- Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lisa A Harvey
- Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia
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12
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Saadoun S, Grassner L, Belci M, Cook J, Knight R, Davies L, Asif H, Visagan R, Gallagher MJ, Thomé C, Hutchinson PJ, Zoumprouli A, Wade J, Farrar N, Papadopoulos MC. Duroplasty for injured cervical spinal cord with uncontrolled swelling: protocol of the DISCUS randomized controlled trial. Trials 2023; 24:497. [PMID: 37550727 PMCID: PMC10405486 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07454-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical traumatic spinal cord injury is a devastating condition. Current management (bony decompression) may be inadequate as after acute severe TSCI, the swollen spinal cord may become compressed against the surrounding tough membrane, the dura. DISCUS will test the hypothesis that, after acute, severe traumatic cervical spinal cord injury, the addition of dural decompression to bony decompression improves muscle strength in the limbs at 6 months, compared with bony decompression alone. METHODS This is a prospective, phase III, multicenter, randomized controlled superiority trial. We aim to recruit 222 adults with acute, severe, traumatic cervical spinal cord injury with an American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade A, B, or C who will be randomized 1:1 to undergo bony decompression alone or bony decompression with duroplasty. Patients and outcome assessors are blinded to study arm. The primary outcome is change in the motor score at 6 months vs. admission; secondary outcomes assess function (grasp, walking, urinary + anal sphincters), quality of life, complications, need for further surgery, and mortality, at 6 months and 12 months from randomization. A subgroup of at least 50 patients (25/arm) also has observational monitoring from the injury site using a pressure probe (intraspinal pressure, spinal cord perfusion pressure) and/or microdialysis catheter (cord metabolism: tissue glucose, lactate, pyruvate, lactate to pyruvate ratio, glutamate, glycerol; cord inflammation: tissue chemokines/cytokines). Patients are recruited from the UK and internationally, with UK recruitment supported by an integrated QuinteT recruitment intervention to optimize recruitment and informed consent processes. Estimated study duration is 72 months (6 months set-up, 48 months recruitment, 12 months to complete follow-up, 6 months data analysis and reporting results). DISCUSSION We anticipate that the addition of duroplasty to standard of care will improve muscle strength; this has benefits for patients and carers, as well as substantial gains for health services and society including economic implications. If the addition of duroplasty to standard treatment is beneficial, it is anticipated that duroplasty will become standard of care. TRIAL REGISTRATION IRAS: 292031 (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) - Registration date: 24 May 2021, 296518 (Scotland), ISRCTN: 25573423 (Registration date: 2 June 2021); ClinicalTrials.gov number : NCT04936620 (Registration date: 21 June 2021); NIHR CRN 48627 (Registration date: 24 May 2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Saadoun
- Academic Neurosurgery, Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St. George's, University of London, London, UK.
| | - Lukas Grassner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Christian Doppler Clinic, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Maurizio Belci
- National Spinal Injury Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Aylesbury, Bucks, UK
| | - Jonathan Cook
- Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ruth Knight
- Liverpool Clinical Trials Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Lucy Davies
- Surgical Intervention Trials Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hasan Asif
- Academic Neurosurgery, Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Ravindran Visagan
- Academic Neurosurgery, Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Mathew J Gallagher
- Academic Neurosurgery, Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - Claudius Thomé
- Department of Neurosurgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Argyro Zoumprouli
- Neuro-Intensive Care Unit, Atkinson Morley Wing, St. George's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Julia Wade
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Nicola Farrar
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Marios C Papadopoulos
- Academic Neurosurgery, Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
- Neurosurgery, Atkinson Morley Wing, St. George's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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13
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Hope JM, Field-Fote EC. Assessment of Dorsiflexion Ability across Tasks in Persons with Subacute SCI after Combined Locomotor Training and Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10050528. [PMID: 37237598 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10050528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In people with spinal cord injury (SCI), transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) has an immediate effect on the ability to dorsiflex the ankle, but persistent effects are not known. Furthermore, TSS has been associated with improved walking, increased volitional muscle activation, and decreased spasticity when combined with locomotor training (LT). In this study, the persistent impact of combined LT and TSS on dorsiflexion during the swing phase of walking and a volitional task in participants with SCI is determined. Ten participants with subacute motor-incomplete SCI received 2 weeks of LT alone (wash-in phase), followed by 2 weeks of either LT + TSS (TSS at 50 Hz) or LT + TSSSham (intervention phase). There was no persistent effect of TSS on dorsiflexion during walking and inconsistent effects on the volitional task. There was a strong positive correlation between the dorsiflexor ability for both tasks. There was a moderate effect of 4 weeks of LT on increased dorsiflexion during the task (d = 0.33) and walking (d = 0.34) and a small effect on spasticity (d = -0.2). Combined LT + TSS did not show persistent effects on dorsiflexion ability in people with SCI. Four weeks of locomotor training was associated with increased dorsiflexion across tasks. Improvements in walking observed with TSS may be due to factors other than improved ankle dorsiflexion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine M Hope
- Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Research Laboratory, Crawford Research Institute, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Edelle C Field-Fote
- Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Research Laboratory, Crawford Research Institute, Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA
- Division of Physical Therapy, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Program in Applied Physiology, School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30318, USA
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14
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Pinho AG, Monteiro A, Fernandes S, de Sousa N, Salgado AJ, Silva NA, Monteiro S. The Central Nervous System Source Modulates Microglia Function and Morphology In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097685. [PMID: 37175391 PMCID: PMC10177862 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The regional heterogeneity of microglia was first described a century ago by Pio del Rio Hortega. Currently, new information on microglia heterogeneity throughout central nervous system (CNS) regions is being revealed by high-throughput techniques. It remains unclear whether these spatial specificities translate into different microglial behaviors in vitro. We cultured microglia isolated from the cortex and spinal cord and analyzed the effect of the CNS spatial source on behavior in vitro by applying the same experimental protocol and culture conditions. We analyzed the microglial cell numbers, function, and morphology and found a distinctive in vitro phenotype. We found that microglia were present in higher numbers in the spinal-cord-derived glial cultures, presenting different expressions of inflammatory genes and a lower phagocytosis rate under basal conditions or after activation with LPS and IFN-γ. Morphologically, the cortical microglial cells were more complex and presented longer ramifications, which were also observed in vivo in CX3CR1+/GFP transgenic reporter mice. Collectively, our data demonstrated that microglial behavior in vitro is defined according to specific spatial characteristics acquired by the tissue. Thus, our study highlights the importance of microglia as a source of CNS for in vitro studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia G Pinho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Andreia Monteiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Sara Fernandes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nídia de Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - António J Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno A Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Susana Monteiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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15
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Boonsuth R, Battiston M, Grussu F, Samlidou CM, Calvi A, Samson RS, Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott CAM, Yiannakas MC. Feasibility of in vivo multi-parametric quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of the healthy sciatic nerve with a unified signal readout protocol. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6565. [PMID: 37085693 PMCID: PMC10121559 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33618-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) has been used successfully over the years to investigate the peripheral nervous system (PNS) because it allows early detection and precise localisation of neural tissue damage. However, studies demonstrating the feasibility of combining MRN with multi-parametric quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) methods, which provide more specific information related to nerve tissue composition and microstructural organisation, can be invaluable. The translation of emerging qMRI methods previously validated in the central nervous system to the PNS offers real potential to characterise in patients in vivo the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms involved in a plethora of conditions of the PNS. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of combining MRN with qMRI to measure diffusion, magnetisation transfer and relaxation properties of the healthy sciatic nerve in vivo using a unified signal readout protocol. The reproducibility of the multi-parametric qMRI protocol as well as normative qMRI measures in the healthy sciatic nerve are reported. The findings presented herein pave the way to the practical implementation of joint MRN-qMRI in future studies of pathological conditions affecting the PNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratthaporn Boonsuth
- NMR Research Unit, Department of Neuroinflammation, Faculty of Brain Sciences, Queen Square MS Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
- Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
| | - Marco Battiston
- NMR Research Unit, Department of Neuroinflammation, Faculty of Brain Sciences, Queen Square MS Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francesco Grussu
- NMR Research Unit, Department of Neuroinflammation, Faculty of Brain Sciences, Queen Square MS Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Christina Maria Samlidou
- NMR Research Unit, Department of Neuroinflammation, Faculty of Brain Sciences, Queen Square MS Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alberto Calvi
- NMR Research Unit, Department of Neuroinflammation, Faculty of Brain Sciences, Queen Square MS Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Laboratory of Advanced Imaging in Neuroimmunological Diseases, Center of Neuroimmunology, Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Fundació Clinic Per a La Recerca Biomedica, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rebecca S Samson
- NMR Research Unit, Department of Neuroinflammation, Faculty of Brain Sciences, Queen Square MS Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Claudia A M Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott
- NMR Research Unit, Department of Neuroinflammation, Faculty of Brain Sciences, Queen Square MS Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Brain Connectivity Research Centre, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marios C Yiannakas
- NMR Research Unit, Department of Neuroinflammation, Faculty of Brain Sciences, Queen Square MS Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
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16
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Samejima S, Shackleton C, Malik RN, Cao K, Bohorquez A, Nightingale TE, Sachdeva R, Krassioukov AV. Spinal Cord Stimulation Prevents Autonomic Dysreflexia in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Series. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12082897. [PMID: 37109234 PMCID: PMC10146034 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12082897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in severe cardiovascular dysfunction due to the disruption of supraspinal control. Autonomic dysreflexia (AD), an uncontrolled rise in blood pressure in response to peripheral stimuli including common bowel routine, digital anorectal stimulation (DARS), reduces the quality of life, and increases morbidity and mortality. Recently, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has emerged as a potential intervention to mitigate unstable blood pressure following SCI. The objective of this case series was to test the real-time effect of epidural SCS (eSCS) at the lumbosacral spinal cord, the most common implant location, on mitigating AD in individuals with SCI. We recruited three individuals with cervical and upper thoracic motor-complete SCI who have an implanted epidural stimulator. We demonstrated that eSCS can reduce the elevation in blood pressure and prevent DARS-induced AD. The blood pressure variability analysis indicated that eSCS potentially reduced vascular sympathetic nervous system activity during DARS, compared to without eSCS. This case series provides evidence to support the use of eSCS to prevent AD episodes during routine bowel procedures, improving the quality of life for individuals with SCI and potentially reducing cardiovascular risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soshi Samejima
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9, Canada
| | - Claire Shackleton
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9, Canada
| | - Raza N Malik
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9, Canada
| | - Kawami Cao
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9, Canada
| | - Anibal Bohorquez
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9, Canada
- Spinal Cord Program, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9, Canada
| | - Tom E Nightingale
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- Centre for Trauma Sciences Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rahul Sachdeva
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9, Canada
| | - Andrei V Krassioukov
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9, Canada
- Spinal Cord Program, GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC V5Z 2G9, Canada
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17
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Shackleton C, Samejima S, Miller T, Sachdeva R, Parr A, Samadani U, Netoff T, Hocaloski S, Elliott S, Walter M, Darrow D, Krassioukov A. Effect of epidural spinal cord stimulation on female sexual function after spinal cord injury. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1155796. [PMID: 37179555 PMCID: PMC10167769 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1155796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Sexual dysfunction is a common consequence for women with spinal cord injury (SCI); however, current treatments are ineffective, especially in the under-prioritized population of women with SCI. This case-series, a secondary analysis of the Epidural Stimulation After Neurologic Damage (E-STAND) clinical trial aimed to investigate the effect of epidural spinal cord stimulation (ESCS) on sexual function and distress in women with SCI. Three females, with chronic, thoracic, sensorimotor complete SCI received daily (24 h/day) tonic ESCS for 13 months. Questionnaires, including the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale (FSDS) were collected monthly. There was a 3.2-point (13.2%) mean increase in total FSFI from baseline (24.5 ± 4.1) to post-intervention (27.8 ± 6.6), with a 4.8-50% improvement in the sub-domains of desire, arousal, orgasm and satisfaction. Sexual distress was reduced by 55%, with a mean decrease of 12 points (55.4%) from baseline (21.7 ± 17.2) to post-intervention (9.7 ± 10.8). There was a clinically meaningful change of 14 points in the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury total sensory score from baseline (102 ± 10.5) to post-intervention (116 ± 17.4), without aggravating dyspareunia. ESCS is a promising treatment for sexual dysfunction and distress in women with severe SCI. Developing therapeutic interventions for sexual function is one of the most meaningful recovery targets for people with SCI. Additional large-scale investigations are needed to understand the long-term safety and feasibility of ESCS as a viable therapy for sexual dysfunction. Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03026816, NCT03026816.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Shackleton
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Soshi Samejima
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Tiev Miller
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rahul Sachdeva
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ann Parr
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Uzma Samadani
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Theoden Netoff
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Shea Hocaloski
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Stacy Elliott
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Matthias Walter
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Darrow
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Andrei Krassioukov
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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18
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Jutzeler CR, Bourguignon L, Tong B, Ronca E, Bailey E, Harel NY, Geisler F, Ferguson AR, Kwon BK, Cragg JJ, Grassner L, Kramer JLK. Pharmacological management of acute spinal cord injury: a longitudinal multi-cohort observational study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5434. [PMID: 37012257 PMCID: PMC10070428 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31773-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple types and classes of medications are administered in the acute management of traumatic spinal cord injury. Prior clinical studies and evidence from animal models suggest that several of these medications could modify (i.e., enhance or impede) neurological recovery. We aimed to systematically determine the types of medications commonly administered, alone or in combination, in the transition from acute to subacute spinal cord injury. For that purpose, type, class, dosage, timing, and reason for administration were extracted from two large spinal cord injury datasets. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the medications administered within the first 60 days after spinal cord injury. Across 2040 individuals with spinal cord injury, 775 unique medications were administered within the two months after injury. On average, patients enrolled in a clinical trial were administered 9.9 ± 4.9 (range 0-34), 14.3 ± 6.3 (range 1-40), 18.6 ± 8.2 (range 0-58), and 21.5 ± 9.7 (range 0-59) medications within the first 7, 14, 30, and 60 days post-injury, respectively. Those enrolled in an observational study were administered on average 1.7 ± 1.7 (range 0-11), 3.7 ± 3.7 (range 0-24), 8.5 ± 6.3 (range 0-42), and 13.5 ± 8.3 (range 0-52) medications within the first 7, 14, 30, and 60 days post-injury, respectively. Polypharmacy was commonplace (up to 43 medications per day per patient). Approximately 10% of medications were administered acutely as prophylaxis (e.g., against the development of pain or infections). To our knowledge, this was the first time acute pharmacological practices have been comprehensively examined after spinal cord injury. Our study revealed a high degree of polypharmacy in the acute stages of spinal cord injury, raising the potential to impact neurological recovery. All results can be interactively explored on the RXSCI web site ( https://jutzelec.shinyapps.io/RxSCI/ ) and GitHub repository ( https://github.com/jutzca/Acute-Pharmacological-Treatment-in-SCI/ ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine R Jutzeler
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Lengghalde 2, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Lucie Bourguignon
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Lengghalde 2, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bobo Tong
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Elias Ronca
- Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland
| | - Eric Bailey
- James J Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Noam Y Harel
- James J Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fred Geisler
- University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Adam R Ferguson
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
- San Francisco Veteran's Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Brian K Kwon
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jacquelyn J Cragg
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Lukas Grassner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - John L K Kramer
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Hugill Centre for Anesthesia, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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19
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Smith NJ, Doody NE, Štěpánková K, Fuller M, Ichiyama RM, Kwok JCF, Egginton S. Spatiotemporal microvascular changes following contusive spinal cord injury. Front Neuroanat 2023; 17:1152131. [PMID: 37025098 PMCID: PMC10070689 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2023.1152131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Microvascular integrity is disrupted following spinal cord injury (SCI) by both primary and secondary insults. Changes to neuronal structures are well documented, but little is known about how the capillaries change and recover following injury. Spatiotemporal morphological information is required to explore potential treatments targeting the microvasculature post-SCI to improve functional recovery. Sprague-Dawley rats were given a T10 moderate/severe (200 kDyn) contusion injury and were perfuse-fixed at days 2, 5, 15, and 45 post-injury. Unbiased stereology following immunohistochemistry in four areas (ventral and dorsal grey and white matter) across seven spinal segments (n = 4 for each group) was used to calculate microvessel density, surface area, and areal density. In intact sham spinal cords, average microvessel density across the thoracic spinal cord was: ventral grey matter: 571 ± 45 mm-2, dorsal grey matter: 484 ± 33 mm-2, ventral white matter: 90 ± 8 mm-2, dorsal white matter: 88 ± 7 mm-2. Post-SCI, acute microvascular disruption was evident, particularly at the injury epicentre, and spreading three spinal segments rostrally and caudally. Damage was most severe in grey matter at the injury epicentre (T10) and T11. Reductions in all morphological parameters (95-99% at day 2 post-SCI) implied vessel regression and/or collapse acutely. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed disturbed aspects of neurovascular unit fine structure at day 2 post-SCI (n = 2 per group) at T10 and T11. TEM demonstrated a more diffuse and disrupted basement membrane and wider intercellular clefts at day 2, suggesting a more permeable blood spinal cord barrier and microvessel remodelling. Some evidence of angiogenesis was seen during recovery from days 2 to 45, indicated by increased vessel density, surface area, and areal density at day 45. These novel results show that the spinal cord microvasculature is highly adaptive following SCI, even at chronic stages and up to three spinal segments from the injury epicentre. Multiple measures of gross and fine capillary structure from acute to chronic time points provide insight into microvascular remodelling post-SCI. We have identified key vascular treatment targets, namely stabilising damaged capillaries and replacing destroyed vessels, which may be used to improve functional outcomes following SCI in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole J. Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Natalie E. Doody
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Kateřina Štěpánková
- Centre for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Fuller
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jessica C. F. Kwok
- Centre for Reconstructive Neuroscience, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Stuart Egginton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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20
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Tucker A, Dulin JN. The Emerging Role of Biological Sex in Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury. Neurosci Insights 2023; 18:26331055231153128. [PMID: 36798608 PMCID: PMC9925999 DOI: 10.1177/26331055231153128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising potential therapy for replacing spinal cord neurons and glial cells following spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite the rapid advancement of NPC transplantation to SCI clinical trials, we still lack understanding of fundamental biology underlying how NPC grafts interact with the injured host nervous system. Our recent study demonstrated a potent effect of biological sex mismatch between donor and host on graft immune rejection. Here we discuss the implications of this study in the context of clinical trials for SCI, and important topics for future research in SCI cell transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Tucker
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M
University, College Station, TX, USA
- Texas A&M Institute for
Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Jennifer N Dulin
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M
University, College Station, TX, USA
- Texas A&M Institute for
Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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21
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Schelski M, Bradke F. Microtubule retrograde flow retains neuronal polarization in a fluctuating state. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabo2336. [PMID: 36332023 PMCID: PMC9635824 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo2336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In developing vertebrate neurons, a neurite is formed by more than a hundred microtubules. While individual microtubules are dynamic, the microtubule array has been regarded as stationary. Using live-cell imaging of neurons in culture or in brain slices, combined with photoconversion techniques and pharmacological manipulations, we uncovered that the microtubule array flows retrogradely within neurites to the soma. This flow drives cycles of microtubule density, a hallmark of the fluctuating state before axon formation, thereby inhibiting neurite growth. The motor protein dynein fuels this process. Shortly after axon formation, microtubule retrograde flow slows down in the axon, reducing microtubule density cycles and enabling axon extension. Thus, keeping neurites short is an active process. Microtubule retrograde flow is a previously unknown type of cytoskeletal dynamics, which changes the hitherto axon-centric view of neuronal polarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Schelski
- Axon Growth and Regeneration Group, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Venusberg-Campus 1, Building 99, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Frank Bradke
- Axon Growth and Regeneration Group, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Venusberg-Campus 1, Building 99, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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22
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Monteverdi A, Palesi F, Costa A, Vitali P, Pichiecchio A, Cotta Ramusino M, Bernini S, Jirsa V, Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott CAM, D’Angelo E. Subject-specific features of excitation/inhibition profiles in neurodegenerative diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:868342. [PMID: 35992607 PMCID: PMC9391060 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.868342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain pathologies are characterized by microscopic changes in neurons and synapses that reverberate into large scale networks altering brain dynamics and functional states. An important yet unresolved issue concerns the impact of patients' excitation/inhibition profiles on neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In this work, we used The Virtual Brain (TVB) simulation platform to simulate brain dynamics in healthy and neurodegenerative conditions and to extract information about the excitatory/inhibitory balance in single subjects. The brain structural and functional connectomes were extracted from 3T-MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans and TVB nodes were represented by a Wong-Wang neural mass model endowing an explicit representation of the excitatory/inhibitory balance. Simulations were performed including both cerebral and cerebellar nodes and their structural connections to explore cerebellar impact on brain dynamics generation. The potential for clinical translation of TVB derived biophysical parameters was assessed by exploring their association with patients' cognitive performance and testing their discriminative power between clinical conditions. Our results showed that TVB biophysical parameters differed between clinical phenotypes, predicting higher global coupling and inhibition in Alzheimer's Disease and stronger N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent excitation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. These physio-pathological parameters allowed us to perform an advanced analysis of patients' conditions. In backward regressions, TVB-derived parameters significantly contributed to explain the variation of neuropsychological scores and, in discriminant analysis, the combination of TVB parameters and neuropsychological scores significantly improved the discriminative power between clinical conditions. Moreover, cluster analysis provided a unique description of the excitatory/inhibitory balance in individual patients. Importantly, the integration of cerebro-cerebellar loops in simulations improved TVB predictive power, i.e., the correlation between experimental and simulated functional connectivity in all pathological conditions supporting the cerebellar role in brain function disrupted by neurodegeneration. Overall, TVB simulations reveal differences in the excitatory/inhibitory balance of individual patients that, combined with cognitive assessment, can promote the personalized diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Monteverdi
- Brain Connectivity Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fulvia Palesi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alfredo Costa
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Unit of Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paolo Vitali
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Pichiecchio
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Advanced Imaging and Radiomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Cotta Ramusino
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Unit of Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sara Bernini
- Dementia Research Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Viktor Jirsa
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, INSERM, INS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Claudia A. M. Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott
- Brain Connectivity Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- NMR Research Unit, Department of Neuroinflammation, Queen Square MS Centre, University College London (UCL) Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Egidio D’Angelo
- Brain Connectivity Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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23
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Zipser-Mohammadzada F, Conway BA, Halliday DM, Zipser CM, Easthope CA, Curt A, Schubert M. Intramuscular coherence during challenging walking in incomplete spinal cord injury: Reduced high-frequency coherence reflects impaired supra-spinal control. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:927704. [PMID: 35992941 PMCID: PMC9387543 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.927704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals regaining reliable day-to-day walking function after incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) report persisting unsteadiness when confronted with walking challenges. However, quantifiable measures of walking capacity lack the sensitivity to reveal underlying impairments of supra-spinal locomotor control. This study investigates the relationship between intramuscular coherence and corticospinal dynamic balance control during a visually guided Target walking treadmill task. In thirteen individuals with iSCI and 24 controls, intramuscular coherence and cumulant densities were estimated from pairs of Tibialis anterior surface EMG recordings during normal treadmill walking and a Target walking task. The approximate center of mass was calculated from pelvis markers. Spearman rank correlations were performed to evaluate the relationship between intramuscular coherence, clinical parameters, and center of mass parameters. In controls, we found that the Target walking task results in increased high-frequency (21–44 Hz) intramuscular coherence, which negatively related to changes in the center of mass movement, whereas this modulation was largely reduced in individuals with iSCI. The impaired modulation of high-frequency intramuscular coherence during the Target walking task correlated with neurophysiological and functional readouts, such as motor-evoked potential amplitude and outdoor mobility score, as well as center of mass trajectory length. The Target walking effect, the difference between Target and Normal walking intramuscular coherence, was significantly higher in controls than in individuals with iSCI [F(1.0,35.0) = 13.042, p < 0.001]. Intramuscular coherence obtained during challenging walking in individuals with iSCI may provide information on corticospinal gait control. The relationships between biomechanics, clinical scores, and neurophysiology suggest that intramuscular coherence assessed during challenging tasks may be meaningful for understanding impaired supra-spinal control in individuals with iSCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freschta Zipser-Mohammadzada
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurophysiology, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Freschta Zipser-Mohammadzada,
| | - Bernard A. Conway
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - David M. Halliday
- Department of Electronic Engineering, University of York, York, United Kingdom
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Carl Moritz Zipser
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurophysiology, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chris A. Easthope
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurophysiology, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
- Cereneo Foundation, Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Vitznau, Switzerland
| | - Armin Curt
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurophysiology, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Schubert
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Department of Neurophysiology, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
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24
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Chou A, Torres-Espin A, Kyritsis N, Huie JR, Khatry S, Funk J, Hay J, Lofgreen A, Shah R, McCann C, Pascual LU, Amorim E, Weinstein PR, Manley GT, Dhall SS, Pan JZ, Bresnahan JC, Beattie MS, Whetstone WD, Ferguson AR. Expert-augmented automated machine learning optimizes hemodynamic predictors of spinal cord injury outcome. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265254. [PMID: 35390006 PMCID: PMC8989303 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) is becoming increasingly more accessible to biomedical researchers with significant potential to transform biomedicine through optimization of highly-accurate predictive models and enabling better understanding of disease biology. Automated machine learning (AutoML) in particular is positioned to democratize artificial intelligence (AI) by reducing the amount of human input and ML expertise needed. However, successful translation of AI/ML in biomedicine requires moving beyond optimizing only for prediction accuracy and towards establishing reproducible clinical and biological inferences. This is especially challenging for clinical studies on rare disorders where the smaller patient cohorts and corresponding sample size is an obstacle for reproducible modeling results. Here, we present a model-agnostic framework to reinforce AutoML using strategies and tools of explainable and reproducible AI, including novel metrics to assess model reproducibility. The framework enables clinicians to interpret AutoML-generated models for clinical and biological verifiability and consequently integrate domain expertise during model development. We applied the framework towards spinal cord injury prognostication to optimize the intraoperative hemodynamic range during injury-related surgery and additionally identified a strong detrimental relationship between intraoperative hypertension and patient outcome. Furthermore, our analysis captured how evolving clinical practices such as faster time-to-surgery and blood pressure management affect clinical model development. Altogether, we illustrate how expert-augmented AutoML improves inferential reproducibility for biomedical discovery and can ultimately build trust in AI processes towards effective clinical integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Chou
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Abel Torres-Espin
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Nikos Kyritsis
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - J. Russell Huie
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Sarah Khatry
- DataRobot, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jeremy Funk
- DataRobot, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Hay
- DataRobot, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Andrew Lofgreen
- DataRobot, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Rajiv Shah
- DataRobot, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Chandler McCann
- DataRobot, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lisa U. Pascual
- Orthopedic Trauma Institute, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Edilberto Amorim
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Philip R. Weinstein
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Spine Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Geoffrey T. Manley
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Sanjay S. Dhall
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Z. Pan
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline C. Bresnahan
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Beattie
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - William D. Whetstone
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Adam R. Ferguson
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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25
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Sánchez-Fernández A, Zandee S, Mastrogiovanni M, Charabati M, Rubbo H, Prat A, López-Vales R. Administration of Maresin-1 ameliorates the physiopathology of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:27. [PMID: 35109863 PMCID: PMC8808957 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02386-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resolution of inflammation is an active and regulated process that leads to the clearance of cell debris and immune cells from the challenged tissue, facilitating the recovery of homeostasis. This physiological response is coordinated by endogenous bioactive lipids known as specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). When resolution fails, inflammation becomes uncontrolled leading chronic inflammation and tissue damage, as occurs in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS SPMs and the key biosynthetic enzymes involved in SPM production were analysed by metabololipidomics and qPCR in active brain lesions, serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of MS patients as well as in the spinal cord of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We also tested the therapeutic actions of the SPM coined Maresin-1 (MaR1) in EAE mice and studied its impact on inflammation by doing luminex and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS We show that levels of MaR1 and other SPMs were below the limit of detection or not increased in the spinal cord of EAE mice, whereas the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids was induced during disease progression. Similarly, we reveal that SPMs were undetected in serum and active brain lesion samples of MS patients, which was linked to impaired expression of the enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathways of SPMs. We demonstrate that exogenous administration of MaR1 in EAE mice suppressed the protein levels of various pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced immune cells counts in the spinal cord and blood. MaR1 also decreased the numbers of Th1 cells but increased the accumulation of regulatory T cells and drove macrophage polarization towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Importantly, we provide clear evidence that administration of MaR1 in mice with clinical signs of EAE enhanced neurological outcomes and protected from demyelination. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that there is an imbalance in the production of SPMs in MS patients and in EAE mice, and that increasing the bioavailability of SPMs, such as MaR1, minimizes inflammation and mediates therapeutic actions. Thus, these data suggest that immunoresolvent therapies, such as MaR1, could be a novel avenue for the treatment of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Sánchez-Fernández
- Institut de Neurociencies and Departament de Biologia Cel lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stephanie Zandee
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal and Neuroimmunology Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHUM (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mauricio Mastrogiovanni
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Universidad de La República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Marc Charabati
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal and Neuroimmunology Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHUM (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Homero Rubbo
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Medicina and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas (CEINBIO), Universidad de La República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alexandre Prat
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal and Neuroimmunology Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHUM (CRCHUM), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Rubèn López-Vales
- Institut de Neurociencies and Departament de Biologia Cel lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Catalonia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Barcelona, Spain.
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26
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Almeida CA, Torres-Espin A, Huie JR, Sun D, Noble-Haeusslein LJ, Young W, Beattie MS, Bresnahan JC, Nielson JL, Ferguson AR. Excavating FAIR Data: the Case of the Multicenter Animal Spinal Cord Injury Study (MASCIS), Blood Pressure, and Neuro-Recovery. Neuroinformatics 2022; 20:39-52. [PMID: 33651310 PMCID: PMC9015816 DOI: 10.1007/s12021-021-09512-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Meta-analyses suggest that the published literature represents only a small minority of the total data collected in biomedical research, with most becoming 'dark data' unreported in the literature. Dark data is due to publication bias toward novel results that confirm investigator hypotheses and omission of data that do not. Publication bias contributes to scientific irreproducibility and failures in bench-to-bedside translation. Sharing dark data by making it Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) may reduce the burden of irreproducible science by increasing transparency and support data-driven discoveries beyond the lifecycle of the original study. We illustrate feasibility of dark data sharing by recovering original raw data from the Multicenter Animal Spinal Cord Injury Study (MASCIS), an NIH-funded multi-site preclinical drug trial conducted in the 1990s that tested efficacy of several therapies after a spinal cord injury (SCI). The original drug treatments did not produce clear positive results and MASCIS data were stored in boxes for more than two decades. The goal of the present study was to independently confirm published machine learning findings that perioperative blood pressure is a major predictor of SCI neuromotor outcome (Nielson et al., 2015). We recovered, digitized, and curated the data from 1125 rats from MASCIS. Analyses indicated that high perioperative blood pressure at the time of SCI is associated with poorer health and worse neuromotor outcomes in more severe SCI, whereas low perioperative blood pressure is associated with poorer health and worse neuromotor outcome in moderate SCI. These findings confirm and expand prior results that a narrow window of blood-pressure control optimizes outcome, and demonstrate the value of recovering dark data for assessing reproducibility of findings with implications for precision therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Almeida
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Abel Torres-Espin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - J Russell Huie
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dongming Sun
- W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Linda J Noble-Haeusslein
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Wise Young
- W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Michael S Beattie
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jacqueline C Bresnahan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jessica L Nielson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
| | - Adam R Ferguson
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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27
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Huie JR, Chou A, Torres-Espin A, Nielson JL, Yuh EL, Gardner RC, Diaz-Arrastia R, Manley GT, Ferguson AR. FAIR Data Reuse in Traumatic Brain Injury: Exploring Inflammation and Age as Moderators of Recovery in the TRACK-TBI Pilot. Front Neurol 2021; 12:768735. [PMID: 34803899 PMCID: PMC8595404 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.768735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The guiding principle for data stewardship dictates that data be FAIR: findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. Data reuse allows researchers to probe data that may have been originally collected for other scientific purposes in order to gain novel insights. The current study reuses the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge for Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) Pilot dataset to build upon prior findings and ask new scientific questions. Specifically, we have previously used a multivariate analytics approach to multianalyte serum protein data from the TRACK-TBI Pilot dataset to show that an inflammatory ensemble of biomarkers can predict functional outcome at 3 and 6 months post-TBI. We and others have shown that there are quantitative and qualitative changes in inflammation that come with age, but little is known about how this interaction affects recovery from TBI. Here we replicate the prior proteomics findings with improved missing value analyses and non-linear principal component analysis and then expand upon this work to determine whether age moderates the effect of inflammation on recovery. We show that increased age correlates with worse functional recovery on the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) as well as increased inflammatory signature. We then explore the interaction between age and inflammation on recovery, which suggests that inflammation has a more detrimental effect on recovery for older TBI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Russell Huie
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Austin Chou
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Abel Torres-Espin
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jessica L. Nielson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Esther L. Yuh
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Raquel C. Gardner
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Ramon Diaz-Arrastia
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Geoff T. Manley
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Adam R. Ferguson
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center, Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
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28
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Torrillas de la Cal A, Paniagua-Torija B, Arevalo-Martin A, Faulkes CG, Jiménez AJ, Ferrer I, Molina-Holgado E, Garcia-Ovejero D. The Structure of the Spinal Cord Ependymal Region in Adult Humans Is a Distinctive Trait among Mammals. Cells 2021; 10:2235. [PMID: 34571884 PMCID: PMC8469235 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In species that regenerate the injured spinal cord, the ependymal region is a source of new cells and a prominent coordinator of regeneration. In mammals, cells at the ependymal region proliferate in normal conditions and react after injury, but in humans, the central canal is lost in the majority of individuals from early childhood. It is replaced by a structure that does not proliferate after damage and is formed by large accumulations of ependymal cells, strong astrogliosis and perivascular pseudo-rosettes. We inform here of two additional mammals that lose the central canal during their lifetime: the Naked Mole-Rat (NMR, Heterocephalus glaber) and the mutant hyh (hydrocephalus with hop gait) mice. The morphological study of their spinal cords shows that the tissue substituting the central canal is not similar to that found in humans. In both NMR and hyh mice, the central canal is replaced by tissue reminiscent of normal lamina X and may include small groups of ependymal cells in the midline, partially resembling specific domains of the former canal. However, no features of the adult human ependymal remnant are found, suggesting that this structure is a specific human trait. In order to shed some more light on the mechanism of human central canal closure, we provide new data suggesting that canal patency is lost by delamination of the ependymal epithelium, in a process that includes apical polarity loss and the expression of signaling mediators involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Torrillas de la Cal
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.T.d.l.C.); (B.P.-T.); (A.A.-M.); (E.M.-H.)
| | - Beatriz Paniagua-Torija
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.T.d.l.C.); (B.P.-T.); (A.A.-M.); (E.M.-H.)
| | - Angel Arevalo-Martin
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.T.d.l.C.); (B.P.-T.); (A.A.-M.); (E.M.-H.)
| | - Christopher Guy Faulkes
- School of Biological & Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK;
| | - Antonio Jesús Jiménez
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071 Malaga, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), 29010 Malaga, Spain
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Institut de Neuropatologia, Servei d’Anatomia Patològica, IDIBELL-Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain;
| | - Eduardo Molina-Holgado
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.T.d.l.C.); (B.P.-T.); (A.A.-M.); (E.M.-H.)
| | - Daniel Garcia-Ovejero
- Laboratory of Neuroinflammation, Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, 45071 Toledo, Spain; (A.T.d.l.C.); (B.P.-T.); (A.A.-M.); (E.M.-H.)
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Padilla CJ, Harrigan ME, Harris H, Schwab JM, Rutkove SB, Rich MM, Clark BC, Arnold WD. Profiling age-related muscle weakness and wasting: neuromuscular junction transmission as a driver of age-related physical decline. GeroScience 2021; 43:1265-1281. [PMID: 33895959 PMCID: PMC8190265 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00369-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological age-related loss of skeletal muscle strength and mass contribute to impaired physical function in older adults. Factors that promote the development of these conditions remain incompletely understood, impeding development of effective and specific diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Inconclusive evidence across species suggests disruption of action potential signal transmission at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the crucial connection between the nervous and muscular systems, as a possible contributor to age-related muscle dysfunction. Here we investigated age-related loss of NMJ function using clinically relevant, electrophysiological measures (single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG) and repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS)) in aged (26 months) versus young (6 months) F344 rats. Measures of muscle function (e.g., grip strength, peak plantarflexion contractility torque) and mass were assessed for correlations with physiological measures (e.g., indices of NMJ transmission). Other outcomes also included plantarflexion muscle contractility tetanic torque fade during 1-s trains of stimulation as well as gastrocnemius motor unit size and number. Profiling NMJ function in aged rats identified significant declines in NMJ transmission stability and reliability. Further, NMJ deficits were tightly correlated with hindlimb grip strength, gastrocnemius muscle weight, loss of peak contractility torque, degree of tetanic fade, and motor unit loss. Thus, these findings provide direct evidence for NMJ dysfunction as a potential mechanism of age-related muscle dysfunction pathogenesis and severity. These findings also suggest that NMJ transmission modulation may serve as a target for therapeutic development for age-related loss of physical function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Padilla
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1060 Carmack Road, Room 207, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Markus E Harrigan
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1060 Carmack Road, Room 207, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Hallie Harris
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1060 Carmack Road, Room 207, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jan M Schwab
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1060 Carmack Road, Room 207, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
- Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- The Neurological Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Seward B Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark M Rich
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 45435, USA
| | - Brian C Clark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1060 Carmack Road, Room 207, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- The Neurological Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Keatinge M, Tsarouchas TM, Munir T, Porter NJ, Larraz J, Gianni D, Tsai HH, Becker CG, Lyons DA, Becker T. CRISPR gRNA phenotypic screening in zebrafish reveals pro-regenerative genes in spinal cord injury. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009515. [PMID: 33914736 PMCID: PMC8084196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish exhibit robust regeneration following spinal cord injury, promoted by macrophages that control post-injury inflammation. However, the mechanistic basis of how macrophages regulate regeneration is poorly understood. To address this gap in understanding, we conducted a rapid in vivo phenotypic screen for macrophage-related genes that promote regeneration after spinal injury. We used acute injection of synthetic RNA Oligo CRISPR guide RNAs (sCrRNAs) that were pre-screened for high activity in vivo. Pre-screening of over 350 sCrRNAs allowed us to rapidly identify highly active sCrRNAs (up to half, abbreviated as haCRs) and to effectively target 30 potentially macrophage-related genes. Disruption of 10 of these genes impaired axonal regeneration following spinal cord injury. We selected 5 genes for further analysis and generated stable mutants using haCRs. Four of these mutants (tgfb1a, tgfb3, tnfa, sparc) retained the acute haCR phenotype, validating the approach. Mechanistically, tgfb1a haCR-injected and stable mutant zebrafish fail to resolve post-injury inflammation, indicated by prolonged presence of neutrophils and increased levels of il1b expression. Inhibition of Il-1β rescues the impaired axon regeneration in the tgfb1a mutant. Hence, our rapid and scalable screening approach has identified functional regulators of spinal cord regeneration, but can be applied to any biological function of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus Keatinge
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tahimina Munir
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola J. Porter
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Juan Larraz
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Davide Gianni
- Biogen, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hui-Hsin Tsai
- Biogen, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Catherina G. Becker
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David A. Lyons
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Becker
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Estes S, Zarkou A, Hope JM, Suri C, Field-Fote EC. Combined Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation and Locomotor Training to Improve Walking Function and Reduce Spasticity in Subacute Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Study of Clinical Feasibility and Efficacy. J Clin Med 2021; 10:1167. [PMID: 33799508 PMCID: PMC7999894 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10061167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Locomotor training (LT) is intended to improve walking function and can also reduce spasticity in motor-incomplete spinal cord injury (MISCI). Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) also influences these outcomes. We assessed feasibility and preliminary efficacy of combined LT + TSS during inpatient rehabilitation in a randomized, sham-controlled, pragmatic study. Eighteen individuals with subacute MISCI (2-6 months post-SCI) were enrolled and randomly assigned to the LT + TSS or the LT + TSSsham intervention group. Participants completed a 4-week program consisting of a 2-week wash-in period (LT only) then a 2-week intervention period (LT + TSS or LT + TSSsham). Before and after each 2-week period, walking (10 m walk test, 2-min walk test, step length asymmetry) and spasticity (pendulum test, clonus drop test, modified spinal cord injury-spasticity evaluation tool) were assessed. Sixteen participants completed the study. Both groups improved in walking speed and distance. While there were no significant between-groups differences, the LT + TSS group had significant improvements in walking outcomes following the intervention period; conversely, improvements in the LT + TSSsham group were not significant. Neither group had significant changes in spasticity, and the large amount of variability in spasticity may have obscured ability to observe change in these measures. TSS is a feasible adjunct to LT in the subacute stage of SCI and may have potential to augment training-related improvements in walking outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Estes
- Shepherd Center, Crawford Research Institute, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA; (S.E.); (A.Z.); (J.M.H.); (C.S.)
| | - Anastasia Zarkou
- Shepherd Center, Crawford Research Institute, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA; (S.E.); (A.Z.); (J.M.H.); (C.S.)
| | - Jasmine M. Hope
- Shepherd Center, Crawford Research Institute, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA; (S.E.); (A.Z.); (J.M.H.); (C.S.)
- Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Cazmon Suri
- Shepherd Center, Crawford Research Institute, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA; (S.E.); (A.Z.); (J.M.H.); (C.S.)
| | - Edelle C. Field-Fote
- Shepherd Center, Crawford Research Institute, Atlanta, GA 30309, USA; (S.E.); (A.Z.); (J.M.H.); (C.S.)
- Division of Physical Therapy, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Program in Biomedical Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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Kyritsis N, Torres-Espín A, Schupp PG, Huie JR, Chou A, Duong-Fernandez X, Thomas LH, Tsolinas RE, Hemmerle DD, Pascual LU, Singh V, Pan JZ, Talbott JF, Whetstone WD, Burke JF, DiGiorgio AM, Weinstein PR, Manley GT, Dhall SS, Ferguson AR, Oldham MC, Bresnahan JC, Beattie MS. Diagnostic blood RNA profiles for human acute spinal cord injury. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20201795. [PMID: 33512429 PMCID: PMC7852457 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20201795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of spinal cord injury (SCI) severity at the ultra-acute stage is of great importance for emergency clinical care of patients as well as for potential enrollment into clinical trials. The lack of a diagnostic biomarker for SCI has played a major role in the poor results of clinical trials. We analyzed global gene expression in peripheral white blood cells during the acute injury phase and identified 197 genes whose expression changed after SCI compared with healthy and trauma controls and in direct relation to SCI severity. Unsupervised coexpression network analysis identified several gene modules that predicted injury severity (AIS grades) with an overall accuracy of 72.7% and included signatures of immune cell subtypes. Specifically, for complete SCIs (AIS A), ROC analysis showed impressive specificity and sensitivity (AUC: 0.865). Similar precision was also shown for AIS D SCIs (AUC: 0.938). Our findings indicate that global transcriptomic changes in peripheral blood cells have diagnostic and potentially prognostic value for SCI severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Kyritsis
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Abel Torres-Espín
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Patrick G. Schupp
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Brain Tumor Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - J. Russell Huie
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Austin Chou
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Xuan Duong-Fernandez
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Leigh H. Thomas
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Rachel E. Tsolinas
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Debra D. Hemmerle
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Lisa U. Pascual
- Orthopaedic Trauma Institute, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Vineeta Singh
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Jonathan Z. Pan
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Jason F. Talbott
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - William D. Whetstone
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - John F. Burke
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Anthony M. DiGiorgio
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Philip R. Weinstein
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Spine Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Geoffrey T. Manley
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sanjay S. Dhall
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Adam R. Ferguson
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, San Francisco, CA
| | - Michael C. Oldham
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Brain Tumor Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Jacqueline C. Bresnahan
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Michael S. Beattie
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, Brain and Spinal Injury Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco, CA
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, San Francisco, CA
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Raab AM, Brinkhof MWG, Berlowitz DJ, Postma K, Gobets D, Hirschfeld S, Hopman MTE, Huber B, Hund-Georgiadis M, Jordan X, Schubert M, Wildburger R, Mueller G. Respiratory function and respiratory complications in spinal cord injury: protocol for a prospective, multicentre cohort study in high-income countries. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e038204. [PMID: 33154049 PMCID: PMC7646333 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pneumonia is one of the leading complications and causes of death after a spinal cord injury (SCI). After a cervical or thoracic lesion, impairment of the respiratory muscles decreases respiratory function, which increases the risk of respiratory complications. Pneumonia substantially reduces patient's quality of life, may prolong inpatient rehabilitation time, increase healthcare costs or at worse, lead to early death. Respiratory function and coughing can be improved through various interventions after SCI, but the available evidence as to which aspect of respiratory care should be optimised is inconclusive. Furthermore, ability of respiratory function parameters to predict pneumonia risk is insufficiently established. This paper details the protocol for a large-scale, multicentre research project that aims to evaluate the ability of parameters of respiratory function to predict and understand variation in inpatient risk of pneumonia in SCI. METHODS AND ANALYSIS RESCOM, a prospective cohort study, began recruitment in October 2016 across 10 SCI rehabilitation centres from Australia, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Inpatients with acute SCI, with complete or incomplete cervical or thoracic lesions, 18 years or older and not/no more dependent on 24-hour mechanical ventilation within the first 3 months after injury are eligible for inclusion. The target sample size is 500 participants. The primary outcome is an occurrence of pneumonia; secondary outcomes include pneumonia-related mortality and quality of life. We will use the longitudinal data for prognostic models on inpatient pneumonia risk factors. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has been reviewed and approved by all local ethics committees of all participating centres. Study results will be disseminated to the scientific community through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations, to the SCI community, other stakeholders and via social media, newsletters and engagement activities. TRIAL REGISTRATION DETAILS ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02891096.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja M Raab
- Clinical Trial Unit, Swiss Paraplegic Center, Nottwil, Switzerland
| | - Martin W G Brinkhof
- Life Course Epidemiology Group, Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland
| | - David J Berlowitz
- Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Karin Postma
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rijndam Rehabilitation and Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - David Gobets
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Heliomare Rehabilitation Center, Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands
| | - Sven Hirschfeld
- Department of Spinal Cord Medicine, BG Trauma Hospital, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Maria T E Hopman
- Center for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Burkhart Huber
- Trauma Surgery, AUVA Rehabilitation Center Häring, Bad Häring, Austria
| | | | - Xavier Jordan
- Spinal Cord Unit, Clinique romande de réadaptation, Sion, Switzerland
| | - Martin Schubert
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Balgrist University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Renate Wildburger
- Allgemeine Unfallversicherungsanstalt, AUVA Rehabilitation Clinic Tobelbad, Tobelbad, Austria
| | - Gabi Mueller
- Clinical Trial Unit, Swiss Paraplegic Center, Nottwil, Switzerland
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Marquardt LM, Doulames VM, Wang AT, Dubbin K, Suhar RA, Kratochvil MJ, Medress ZA, Plant GW, Heilshorn SC. Designer, injectable gels to prevent transplanted Schwann cell loss during spinal cord injury therapy. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eaaz1039. [PMID: 32270042 PMCID: PMC7112763 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz1039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Transplantation of patient-derived Schwann cells is a promising regenerative medicine therapy for spinal cord injuries; however, therapeutic efficacy is compromised by inefficient cell delivery. We present a materials-based strategy that addresses three common causes of transplanted cell death: (i) membrane damage during injection, (ii) cell leakage from the injection site, and (iii) apoptosis due to loss of endogenous matrix. Using protein engineering and peptide-based assembly, we designed injectable hydrogels with modular cell-adhesive and mechanical properties. In a cervical contusion model, our hydrogel matrix resulted in a greater than 700% improvement in successful Schwann cell transplantation. The combination therapy of cells and gel significantly improved the spatial distribution of transplanted cells within the endogenous tissue. A reduction in cystic cavitation and neuronal loss were also observed with substantial increases in forelimb strength and coordination. Using an injectable hydrogel matrix, therefore, can markedly improve the outcomes of cellular transplantation therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. Marquardt
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Vanessa M. Doulames
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Alice T. Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Karen Dubbin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Riley A. Suhar
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Michael J. Kratochvil
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford CA 94305, USA
| | - Zachary A. Medress
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Giles W. Plant
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Corresponding author. (G.W.P.); (S.C.H.)
| | - Sarah C. Heilshorn
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Corresponding author. (G.W.P.); (S.C.H.)
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Abstract
We review state-of-the-art monitoring techniques for acute, severe traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) to facilitate targeted perfusion of the injured cord rather than applying universal mean arterial pressure targets. Key concepts are discussed such as intraspinal pressure and spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP) at the injury site, respectively, analogous to intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure for traumatic brain injury. The concept of spinal cord autoregulation is introduced and quantified using spinal pressure reactivity index (sPRx), which is analogous to pressure reactivity index for traumatic brain injury. The U-shaped relationship between sPRx and SCPP defines the optimum SCPP as the SCPP that minimizes sPRx (i.e., maximizes autoregulation), and suggests that not only ischemia but also hyperemia at the injury site may be detrimental. The observation that optimum SCPP varies between patients and temporally in each patient supports individualized management. We discuss multimodality monitoring, which revealed strong correlations between SCPP and injury site metabolism (tissue glucose, lactate, pyruvate, glutamate, glycerol), monitored by surface microdialysis. Evidence is presented that the dura is a major, but unappreciated, cause of spinal cord compression after TSCI; we thus propose expansion duroplasty as a novel treatment. Monitoring spinal cord blood flow at the injury site has revealed novel phenomena, e.g., 3 distinct blood flow patterns, local steal, and diastolic ischemia. We conclude that monitoring from the injured spinal cord in the intensive care unit is a safe technique that appears to enable optimized and individualized spinal cord perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Saadoun
- Academic Neurosurgery Unit, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Marios C Papadopoulos
- Academic Neurosurgery Unit, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, SW17 0RE, UK.
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Abstract
Axon regeneration in the CNS is inhibited by many extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Because these act in parallel, no single intervention has been sufficient to enable full regeneration of damaged axons in the adult mammalian CNS. In the external environment, NogoA and CSPGs are strongly inhibitory to the regeneration of adult axons. CNS neurons lose intrinsic regenerative ability as they mature: embryonic but not mature neurons can grow axons for long distances when transplanted into the adult CNS, and regeneration fails with maturity in in vitro axotomy models. The causes of this loss of regeneration include partitioning of neurons into axonal and dendritic fields with many growth-related molecules directed specifically to dendrites and excluded from axons, changes in axonal signalling due to changes in expression and localization of receptors and their ligands, changes in local translation of proteins in axons, and changes in cytoskeletal dynamics after injury. Also with neuronal maturation come epigenetic changes in neurons, with many of the transcription factor binding sites that drive axon growth-related genes becoming inaccessible. The overall aim for successful regeneration is to ensure that the right molecules are expressed after axotomy and to arrange for them to be transported to the right place in the neuron, including the damaged axon tip.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Fawcett
- John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK.
- Centre of Reconstructive Neuroscience, Institute for Experimental Medicine ASCR, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Abstract
Glial cell types were classified less than 100 years ago by del Rio-Hortega. For instance, he correctly surmised that microglia in pathologic central nervous system (CNS) were "voracious monsters" that helped clean the tissue. Although these historical predictions were remarkably accurate, innovative technologies have revealed novel molecular, cellular, and dynamic physiologic aspects of CNS glia. In this review, we integrate recent findings regarding the roles of glia and glial interactions in healthy and injured spinal cord. The three major glial cell types are considered in healthy CNS and after spinal cord injury (SCI). Astrocytes, which in the healthy CNS regulate neurotransmitter and neurovascular dynamics, respond to SCI by becoming reactive and forming a glial scar that limits pathology and plasticity. Microglia, which in the healthy CNS scan for infection/damage, respond to SCI by promoting axon growth and remyelination-but also with hyperactivation and cytotoxic effects. Oligodendrocytes and their precursors, which in healthy tissue speed axon conduction and support axonal function, respond to SCI by differentiating and producing myelin, but are susceptible to death. Thus, post-SCI responses of each glial cell can simultaneously stimulate and stifle repair. Interestingly, potential therapies could also target interactions between these cells. Astrocyte-microglia cross-talk creates a feed-forward loop, so shifting the response of either cell could amplify repair. Astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes/precursors also influence post-SCI cell survival, differentiation, and remyelination, as well as axon sparing. Therefore, optimizing post-SCI responses of glial cells-and interactions between these CNS cells-could benefit neuroprotection, axon plasticity, and functional recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Gaudet
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Muenzinger D244 | 345 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Muenzinger D244 | 345 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA.
| | - Laura K Fonken
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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Nielson JL, Cooper SR, Yue JK, Sorani MD, Inoue T, Yuh EL, Mukherjee P, Petrossian TC, Paquette J, Lum PY, Carlsson GE, Vassar MJ, Lingsma HF, Gordon WA, Valadka AB, Okonkwo DO, Manley GT, Ferguson AR. Uncovering precision phenotype-biomarker associations in traumatic brain injury using topological data analysis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169490. [PMID: 28257413 PMCID: PMC5336356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex disorder that is traditionally stratified based on clinical signs and symptoms. Recent imaging and molecular biomarker innovations provide unprecedented opportunities for improved TBI precision medicine, incorporating patho-anatomical and molecular mechanisms. Complete integration of these diverse data for TBI diagnosis and patient stratification remains an unmet challenge. Methods and findings The Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury (TRACK-TBI) Pilot multicenter study enrolled 586 acute TBI patients and collected diverse common data elements (TBI-CDEs) across the study population, including imaging, genetics, and clinical outcomes. We then applied topology-based data-driven discovery to identify natural subgroups of patients, based on the TBI-CDEs collected. Our hypothesis was two-fold: 1) A machine learning tool known as topological data analysis (TDA) would reveal data-driven patterns in patient outcomes to identify candidate biomarkers of recovery, and 2) TDA-identified biomarkers would significantly predict patient outcome recovery after TBI using more traditional methods of univariate statistical tests. TDA algorithms organized and mapped the data of TBI patients in multidimensional space, identifying a subset of mild TBI patients with a specific multivariate phenotype associated with unfavorable outcome at 3 and 6 months after injury. Further analyses revealed that this patient subset had high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and enrichment in several distinct genetic polymorphisms associated with cellular responses to stress and DNA damage (PARP1), and in striatal dopamine processing (ANKK1, COMT, DRD2). Conclusions TDA identified a unique diagnostic subgroup of patients with unfavorable outcome after mild TBI that were significantly predicted by the presence of specific genetic polymorphisms. Machine learning methods such as TDA may provide a robust method for patient stratification and treatment planning targeting identified biomarkers in future clinical trials in TBI patients. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01565551
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Biomarkers
- Brain Injuries, Traumatic/diagnosis
- Brain Injuries, Traumatic/diagnostic imaging
- Brain Injuries, Traumatic/genetics
- Brain Injuries, Traumatic/physiopathology
- Catechol O-Methyltransferase/genetics
- Female
- Humans
- Machine Learning
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1/genetics
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/genetics
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/diagnosis
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/diagnostic imaging
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/genetics
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/physiopathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Nielson
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC), Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Shelly R. Cooper
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC), Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - John K. Yue
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC), Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Marco D. Sorani
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Tomoo Inoue
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC), Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Esther L. Yuh
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Pratik Mukherjee
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | | | | | - Pek Y. Lum
- Ayasdi, Inc, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Mary J. Vassar
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC), Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | | | - Wayne A. Gordon
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Alex B. Valadka
- Department of Neurosurgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States of America
| | - David O. Okonkwo
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Geoffrey T. Manley
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC), Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- * E-mail: (ARF); (GTM)
| | - Adam R. Ferguson
- Brain and Spinal Injury Center (BASIC), Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ARF); (GTM)
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39
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Leitner L, Walter M, Sammer U, Knüpfer SC, Mehnert U, Kessler TM. Urodynamic Investigation: A Valid Tool to Define Normal Lower Urinary Tract Function? PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163847. [PMID: 27736908 PMCID: PMC5063299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives To evaluate whether urodynamic investigation (UDI), the gold standard to assess refractory lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), is appropriate to select healthy volunteers with apparent normal lower urinary tract function as control subjects for comparative studies. Subjects and Methods 42 healthy subjects (22 women, mean age 32±10 years; 20 men, mean age 37±12 years) without LUTS were included into this prospective single-centre cohort study. All subjects recorded a 3-day bladder diary, completed validated questionnaires regarding LUTS, and underwent neuro-urological assessment as well as free uroflowmetry. Same session repeat UDI was performed according to “Good Urodynamic Practice” recommended by the International Continence Society, but using an air-charged instead of a water-filled catheter, and evaluated by a blinded investigator. Results All 3-day bladder diaries, LUTS questionnaires, neuro-urological assessments and free uroflowmetries were within normal limits. Overall (either during the first or second UDI), same session repeat UDI revealed pathological findings in 71% (30/42): Detrusor overactivity was detected in 14% (3/22) and 30% (6/20), post void residual >100mL in 14% (3/22) and 25% (5/20), bladder outlet obstruction in 9% (2/22) and 20% (4/20) and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in 77% (17/22) and 65% (13/20) of our women and men, respectively. Repeatability of detrusor overactivity (κ = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.54–1.02) and detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (κ = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.55–0.98) showed substantial agreement between both UDIs. All other assessed urodynamic parameters had wide 95% limits of agreement for differences in the parameters indicating poor repeatability. Conclusions More than 70% of our healthy subjects showed pathological urodynamic findings. Although UDI is the gold standard to assess refractory LUTS, it seems not to be applicable in healthy subjects to define normal lower urinary tract function. Therefore, we do not recommend using UDI to select healthy control subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz Leitner
- Neuro-Urology, Spinal Cord Injury Center & Research, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Walter
- Neuro-Urology, Spinal Cord Injury Center & Research, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ulla Sammer
- Neuro-Urology, Spinal Cord Injury Center & Research, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stephanie C. Knüpfer
- Neuro-Urology, Spinal Cord Injury Center & Research, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrich Mehnert
- Neuro-Urology, Spinal Cord Injury Center & Research, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas M. Kessler
- Neuro-Urology, Spinal Cord Injury Center & Research, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Pavese C, Schneider MP, Schubert M, Curt A, Scivoletto G, Finazzi-Agrò E, Mehnert U, Maier D, Abel R, Röhrich F, Weidner N, Rupp R, Kessels AG, Bachmann LM, Kessler TM. Prediction of Bladder Outcomes after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. PLoS Med 2016; 13:e1002041. [PMID: 27327967 PMCID: PMC4915662 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurogenic bladder dysfunction represents one of the most common and devastating sequelae of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). As early prediction of bladder outcomes is essential to counsel patients and to plan neurourological management, we aimed to develop and validate a model to predict urinary continence and complete bladder emptying 1 y after traumatic SCI. METHODS AND FINDINGS Using multivariate logistic regression analysis from the data of 1,250 patients with traumatic SCI included in the European Multicenter Spinal Cord Injury study, we developed two prediction models of urinary continence and complete bladder emptying 1 y after traumatic SCI and performed an external validation in 111 patients. As predictors, we evaluated age, gender, and all variables of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) and of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM). Urinary continence and complete bladder emptying 1 y after SCI were assessed through item 6 of SCIM. The full model relies on lower extremity motor score (LEMS), light-touch sensation in the S3 dermatome of ISNCSI, and SCIM subscale respiration and sphincter management: the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (aROC) was 0.936 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.922-0.951). The simplified model is based on LEMS only: the aROC was 0.912 (95% CI: 0.895-0.930). External validation of the full and simplified models confirmed the excellent predictive power: the aROCs were 0.965 (95% CI: 0.934-0.996) and 0.972 (95% CI 0.943-0.999), respectively. This study is limited by the substantial number of patients with a missing 1-y outcome and by differences between derivation and validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides two simple and reliable models to predict urinary continence and complete bladder emptying 1 y after traumatic SCI. Early prediction of bladder function might optimize counselling and patient-tailored rehabilitative interventions and improve patient stratification in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pavese
- Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- Specialization School in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Clinical-Surgical Sciences, University of Pavia, Rehabilitation Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marc P. Schneider
- Neuro-Urology, Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- Brain Research Institute, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Schubert
- Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Armin Curt
- Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Enrico Finazzi-Agrò
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Unit for Functional Urology, Department of Urology, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Ulrich Mehnert
- Neuro-Urology, Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Doris Maier
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, BG-Trauma Center, Murnau, Germany
| | - Rainer Abel
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Hohe Warte, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Frank Röhrich
- Berufsgenossenschaftliche Kliniken Bergmannstrost, Zentrum für Rückenmarkverletzte und Klinik für Orthopädie, Halle, Germany
| | - Norbert Weidner
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Rupp
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alfons G. Kessels
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas M. Kessler
- Neuro-Urology, Spinal Cord Injury Center, University of Zürich, Balgrist University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Watzlawick R, Rind J, Sena ES, Brommer B, Zhang T, Kopp MA, Dirnagl U, Macleod MR, Howells DW, Schwab JM. Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Transplantation in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury: Effect size and Reporting Bias of 62 Experimental Treatments: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS Biol 2016; 14:e1002468. [PMID: 27244556 PMCID: PMC4886956 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation is a candidate cellular treatment approach for human spinal cord injury (SCI) due to their unique regenerative potential and autologous origin. The objective of this study was, through a meta-epidemiologic approach, (i) to assess the efficacy of OEC transplantation on locomotor recovery after traumatic experimental SCI and (ii) to estimate the likelihood of reporting bias and/or missing data. A study protocol was finalized before data collection. Embedded into a systematic review and meta-analysis, we conducted a literature research of databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science from 1949/01 to 2014/10 with no language restrictions, screened by two independent investigators. Studies were included if they assessed neurobehavioral improvement after traumatic experimental SCI, administrated no combined interventions, and reported the number of animals in the treatment and control group. Individual effect sizes were pooled using a random effects model. Details regarding the study design were extracted and impact of these on locomotor outcome was assessed by meta-regression. Missing data (reporting bias) was determined by Egger regression and Funnel-plotting. The primary study outcome assessed was improvement in locomotor function at the final time point of measurement. We included 49 studies (62 experiments, 1,164 animals) in the final analysis. The overall improvement in locomotor function after OEC transplantation, measured using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score, was 20.3% (95% CI 17.8–29.5). One missing study was imputed by trim and fill analysis, suggesting only slight publication bias and reducing the overall effect to a 19.2% improvement of locomotor activity. Dose-response ratio supports neurobiological plausibility. Studies were assessed using a 9-point item quality score, resulting in a median score of 5 (interquartile range [IQR] 3–5). In conclusion, OEC transplantation exerts considerable beneficial effects on neurobehavioral recovery after traumatic experimental SCI. Publication bias was minimal and affirms the translational potential of efficacy, but safety cannot be adequately assessed. The data justify OECs as a cellular substrate to develop and optimize minimally invasive and safe cellular transplantation paradigms for the lesioned spinal cord embedded into state-of-the-art Phase I/II clinical trial design studies for human SCI. This meta-analysis study examines the effects of transplanting olfactory ensheathing cells in rodents with experimental spinal cord injury, finding evidence for significant recovery and identifying aspects of the procedure that influence the effect size. Spinal cord injury converts into a debilitating disease affecting millions of chronic patients worldwide. Despite increased molecular knowledge over the last decades, no causal pharmacological or cellular therapy has proven effective so far. Due to their unique regenerative capabilities and their autologous origin, olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) constitute an appealing candidate for topical cell transplantation. In contrast to few and heterogeneous experimental reports of OEC transplantation after spinal cord injury in humans, a considerable number of preclinical studies have been conducted applying OEC transplantation in rodent models. We set out to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess preclinical efficacy of OEC transplantation. We detected a significant overall increase of functional neurological recovery in animals after OEC transplantation compared to the control group. This effect was not distorted by publication bias. We identified several specific hallmarks of the cell transplantation procedure that determine the effect size of the transplantation. Our findings delineate conditions for optimized OEC transplantation into lesioned spinal cords and its relevance for effective translation to human trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Watzlawick
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité Campus Mitte, Clinical and Experimental Spinal Cord Injury Research Laboratory (Neuroparaplegiology), Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julian Rind
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité Campus Mitte, Clinical and Experimental Spinal Cord Injury Research Laboratory (Neuroparaplegiology), Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Emily S. Sena
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Stroke Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benedikt Brommer
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité Campus Mitte, Clinical and Experimental Spinal Cord Injury Research Laboratory (Neuroparaplegiology), Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States of America
| | - Tian Zhang
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marcel A. Kopp
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dirnagl
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité–Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Malcolm R. Macleod
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David W. Howells
- Stroke Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- University of Tasmania, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Medical Sciences Precinct, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Jan M. Schwab
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité Campus Mitte, Clinical and Experimental Spinal Cord Injury Research Laboratory (Neuroparaplegiology), Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Spinal Cord Injury Division, The Neurological Institute, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Neurological Institute, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Samson RS, Lévy S, Schneider T, Smith AK, Smith SA, Cohen-Adad J, Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott CAM. ZOOM or Non-ZOOM? Assessing Spinal Cord Diffusion Tensor Imaging Protocols for Multi-Centre Studies. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155557. [PMID: 27171194 PMCID: PMC4865165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate two spinal cord (SC) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) protocols, implemented at multiple sites (using scanners from two different manufacturers), one available on any clinical scanner, and one using more advanced options currently available in the research setting, and to use an automated processing method for unbiased quantification. DTI parameters are sensitive to changes in the diseased SC. However, imaging the cord can be technically challenging due to various factors including its small size, patient-related and physiological motion, and field inhomogeneities. Rapid acquisition sequences such as Echo Planar Imaging (EPI) are desirable but may suffer from image distortions. We present a multi-centre comparison of two acquisition protocols implemented on scanners from two different vendors (Siemens and Philips), one using a reduced field-of-view (rFOV) EPI sequence, and one only using options available on standard clinical scanners such as outer volume suppression (OVS). Automatic analysis was performed with the Spinal Cord Toolbox for unbiased and reproducible quantification of DTI metrics in the white matter. Images acquired using the rFOV sequence appear less distorted than those acquired using OVS alone. SC DTI parameter values obtained using both sequences at all sites were consistent with previous measurements made at 3T. For the same scanner manufacturer, DTI parameter inter-site SDs were smaller for the rFOV sequence compared to the OVS sequence. The higher inter-site reproducibility (for the same manufacturer and acquisition details, i.e. ZOOM data acquired at the two Philips sites) of rFOV compared to the OVS sequence supports the idea that making research options such as rFOV more widely available would improve accuracy of measurements obtained in multi-centre clinical trials. Future multi-centre studies should also aim to match the rFOV technique and signal-to-noise ratios in all sequences from different manufacturers/sites in order to avoid any bias in measured DTI parameters and ensure similar sensitivity to pathological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca S. Samson
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Simon Lévy
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Functional Neuroimaging Unit, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Torben Schneider
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- Philips Healthcare, Guilford, Surrey, United Kingdom
| | - Alex K. Smith
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Seth A. Smith
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science (VUIIS), Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Julien Cohen-Adad
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Functional Neuroimaging Unit, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Claudia A. M. Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott
- NMR Research Unit, Queen Square MS Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- Brain MRI 3T Center, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioural Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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