Restoring Function to the Injured Human Spinal Cord

ISBN-13: 9783540443674 / Angielski / Miękka / 2003 / 161 str.

R. B. Borgens; Richard B. Borgens

Opis

This book has two major themes: one, to provide a general un- derstanding of the biology of spinal cord injury (SCI) in ani- mal models and their relationship to naturally occurring inju- ry in man, and secondly, to review novel means to induce functional recovery from spinal cord injury based on develop- mental biophysics and physiology. These are new innovations in the treatment of SCI, born of disciplines that have not re- ceived much attention from investigators interested in the re- pair and regeneration of the Central Nervous System (CNS). They include development of 4-Aminopyridine for chronic SCI; oscillating electrical fields and polymer infusion for acute SCI. Biochemistry, neurotransplantation techniques, and phar- macological approaches have long dominated this literature. Curiously though, it is these former techniques that are more practical and are rapidly moving into human clinical studies, or have already begun then. All of these clinical therapies have been developed at the Center for Paralysis Research at Purdue University, mirroring the backgrounds and interests of the electrophysiologists and biophysicists of our Research Center's faculty. Two of the three experimental therapies for SCI devel- oped at Purdue University are now in human clinical trials, and a third will soon begin. They frame the emphasis of this text.

Spis treści

A brief primer on spinal cord injury.-The behavioral catastrophe is rooted in injury to white matter.-The scar as a barrier to regeneration.-Treating the acute and chronic injury:historical perspective.-Concerning behavioral models for spinal cord injury in animals.-Axonal regeneration.-Treatment possibilities of the new biology.-Biologically produced electrical fields: physiological spoken here.-Endogenous voltages and the reaction of the neuron to injury.-The responses of isolated nerve fibers in culture to applied DC voltages:Historical perspective.-Enhancing spinal cord regeneration in situ with applied electrical fields.-Recovery of the CTM reflex in spinal injured guinea pigs after exposure to applied extracellular voltages.-From a laboratory tool to a clinical application.- and other chapters

Blurb

 

Of catastrophic traumas to the human body, spinal cord injury (SCI) has least benefited from innovations arising from the new biology. Since after WW II, the "standard of care" for SCI has changed little. The controversial use of high dosages of steroids has provided only modest benefit to patients – but not without the enhanced risk of mortality. Novel therapies arising form biochemistry and genetics have not materialized in over 15 years, and are unlikely to in the author’s opinion. Instead, appreciation of biophysics and cell physiology in controlling nerve injury, growth, regeneration, and function has produced innovative clinical approaches now in testing in human spinal cord injury.