Tracking Sensory System Atrophy and Outcome Prediction in Spinal Cord Injury

Annals of Neurology, 2015 · DOI: 10.1002/ana.24508 · Published: November 1, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Neuroimaging Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigated how the sensory system changes after a spinal cord injury (SCI) and how these changes relate to sensory outcomes. Researchers used MRI to track structural changes in the brains and spinal cords of SCI patients over a year. The study found that patients with SCI experienced progressive atrophy and microstructural changes in their sensory systems, including the spinal cord and brain. These changes were linked to the extent of sensory impairment. The research suggests that MRI could be used to monitor sensory impairment and predict outcomes in SCI patients, potentially helping to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation and treatment interventions.

Study Duration

12 months

Participants

14 patients with subacute traumatic SCI and 18 healthy controls

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Patients with SCI showed progressive degenerative changes in cervical cord and brain morphometry across the sensory system compared to controls.
2
At 12 months, myelin-sensitive MT and R1 were reduced in areas of structural decline, indicating microstructural changes.
3
Sensory scores at 12 months correlated with the rate of change in cord area and brain volume, as well as decreased MT in the spinal cord.

Research Summary

This study demonstrated progressive atrophic and microstructural changes across the sensory system in patients with subacute SCI. These structural changes, observed via MRI, were closely related to sensory outcomes, suggesting that MRI could provide insights into neuronal degeneration. The findings highlight the potential of structural MRI protocols as responsive biomarkers for rehabilitation and treatment interventions in SCI.

Practical Implications

Biomarker Development

Structural MRI protocols could be developed as biomarkers to monitor sensory impairment and predict outcomes during SCI rehabilitation and treatment.

Therapeutic Monitoring

MRI-based tracking of sensory system atrophy could be used to assess the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions aimed at preserving or restoring sensory function after SCI.

Personalized Rehabilitation

Understanding the relationship between structural changes and sensory outcomes may enable personalized rehabilitation strategies tailored to individual patient needs.

Study Limitations

1
Controls were on average 12 years younger than patients.
2
Computational morphometry is not biologically specific.
3
Defining compartments of the spinal cord to distinguish ascending and descending pathways is not completely accurate

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