Motor Recovery at 6 Months After Admission Is Related to Structural and Functional Reorganization of the Spine and Brain in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

Human Brain Mapping, 2016 · DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23163 · Published: March 3, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Neuroimaging Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how the brain and spinal cord reorganize after a spinal cord injury (SCI) and whether this reorganization affects motor recovery. Researchers used MRI to examine the structure and function of the brain and spinal cord in SCI patients who had good or poor motor recovery, compared to healthy individuals. The study found that the degree of structural damage and functional connectivity in the brain and spinal cord were related to the extent of motor recovery after SCI.

Study Duration

6 Months

Participants

25 SCI patients (10 good, 15 poor recovery), 25 healthy controls

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Poor recoverers had significantly decreased spinal cord area, cortical thickness in motor areas, and fractional anisotropy in the primary motor cortex compared to good recoverers.
2
Good recoverers showed increased functional connectivity between the primary motor cortex and higher-order motor areas, while poor recoverers showed decreased connectivity.
3
Structural and functional reorganization of the spine and brain was associated with the motor recovery rate in all SCI patients.

Research Summary

This study explored structural and functional changes in the spine and brain of SCI patients and their relationship to motor recovery, comparing patients with good and poor recovery to healthy controls. The findings revealed that less structural atrophy and enhanced functional connectivity were associated with better motor recovery in SCI patients. The authors suggest that multimodal imaging has the potential to predict motor recovery early after SCI.

Practical Implications

Predicting Motor Recovery

Multimodal imaging of the spine and brain can potentially predict motor recovery in the early stages of SCI.

Targeted Therapeutic Interventions

Future interventions should target both the injured spinal cord and the brain to enhance motor recovery.

Early Intervention

Therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating or reversing structural reorganization of the spine and brain may have therapeutic potential, especially when used early after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size with heterogeneous levels and degrees of injury.
2
Lack of imaging data at 6 months follow-up to assess dynamic changes.
3
Focus solely on motor function recovery; maladaptive changes were not examined.

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