MRI metrics at the epicenter of spinal cord injury are correlated with the stepping process in rhesus monkeys

This study explores the potential of using MRI to predict long-term walking ability in monkeys after spinal cord injury (SCI). Researchers used MRI to measure the extent and quality of remaining spinal cord tissue at an early stage after SCI. Gait analysis, which involves the detailed study of walking patterns, was also performed to quantify the monkeys' stepping ability and gait stability at both early and chronic stages post-SCI. The study found that MRI metrics combined with early gait data could predict long-term outcomes, suggesting this approach may help clinicians more accurately predict functional recovery in SCI patients.

• 1
  Residual tissue SCA at the injury epicenter and residual tissue FA/remote normal-like tissue FA were correlated with the early-stage PS and GS.
• 2
  The extent of lesion site λ///residual tissue λ// in the early stage after SCI was correlated with the chronic-stage GS.
• 3
  The ratios of lesion site λ// to residual tissue λ// and early-stage GS were predictive of the improvement in the PS at follow-up.