How does the human brain deal with a spinal cord injury?

Bruehlmeier, Matthias; Dietz, Volker; Leenders, Klaus L.; Roelcke, Ulrich; Missimer, John; Curt, Armin

doi:10.1046/j.1460-9568.1998.00454.x

Cited by 188 publications

(136 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…As data were normally distributed, the differences in the 8-13 Hz magnitude, peak amplitude and frequency of [8][9][10][11][12][13] Hz levels between groups were tested using [8][9][10][11][12][13] Hz wave levels and SCI Y Tran et al analysis of variance (ANOVA). Testing for differences between the tetraplegic and paraplegic subgroups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U-test due to the lower numbers involved (as normality cannot be expected).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, there were consistently reduced frequencies found in the SCI group in 13 of the 14 sites. Again, the probability of this happening by chance is 1 in almost 10,000 (that is, (0.5) 13 ¼ 0.0001).…”

Section: -13mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is known that the mammalian brain has a great capacity for adaptation and change. 12,13 For instance, it has been shown in monkeys and other mammals that a loss of afferents from the skin is followed by reorganisation of the somatosensory cortex. 14 While there are little data available in the literature with respect to the affect of SCI on EEG activity, differences in the motor potential between SCI and able-bodied controls have been found.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Levels of brain wave activity (8–13 Hz) in persons with spinal cord injury

et al. 2004

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Study design: Brain wave activity in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) was compared to brain wave activity in able-bodied controls. Objectives: To investigate whether a spinal injury results in changes in levels of brain wave activity in the 8-13 Hz spectrum of the electroencephalography (EEG). Setting: Sydney, Australia. Methods: Monopolar, multichannel EEG assessment was completed for 20 persons with SCI and 20 able-bodied, sex-and age-matched controls. A total of 14 channels of EEG were measured across the entire scalp for all participants. Comparisons between the able-bodied and SCI participants were made across the frontal, central, parietal, occipital and temporal regions. Comparisons were also made for impairment level, that is, between participants with tetraplegia and paraplegia. Results: Compared to the able-bodied controls, consistently reduced brain wave activity (measured by magnitude and peak amplitude) in the 8-13 Hz component of the EEG occurred in persons with SCI across all regions and sites, and differences were larger in the central, parietal and occipital sites. The SCI group also had consistently lower frequencies than the ablebodied controls. Furthermore, the subgroup of SCI participants with tetraplegia generally had significantly reduced brain activity (magnitude and peak amplitude) compared with the paraplegic subgroup and able-bodied controls. Conclusions: The findings of this research enhance our understanding of changes in brain wave activity that could be associated with deafferentation that occurs following SCI, as well as provide essential data on the potential of SCI persons to use a 'hands free' environmental control system that is based upon 8-13 Hz brain activity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: -13mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Levels of brain wave activity (8–13 Hz) in persons with spinal cord injury

et al. 2004

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“…After thoracic injuries, the hand/forelimb representation expands; the expanded territory includes the denervated leg/hindlimb cortex in humans and rats (Bruehlmeier et al, 1998;Endo et al, 2007). To address the adaptations after unilateral spinal cord hemisection injury, we focused on the intact (ipsilesional) sensory-motor cortex of adult rats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional and Anatomical Reorganization of the Sensory-Motor Cortex after Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury in Adult Rats

Ghosh¹,

Sydekum²,

Haiss³

et al. 2009

J. Neurosci.

155

112

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A lateral hemisection injury of the cervical spinal cord results in Brown-Séquard syndrome in humans and rats. The hands/forelimbs on the injured side are rendered permanently impaired, but the legs/hindlimbs recover locomotor functions. This is accompanied by increased use of the forelimb on the uninjured side. Nothing is known about the cortical circuits that correspond to these behavioral adaptations. In this study, on adult rats with cervical spinal cord lateral hemisection lesions (at segment C3/4), we explored the sensory representation and corticospinal projection of the intact (ipsilesional) cortex. Using blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging and voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging, we found that the cortex develops an enhanced representation of the unimpaired forepaw by 12 weeks after injury. VSD imaging also revealed the cortical spatio-temporal dynamics in response to electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral forepaw or hindpaw. Interestingly, stimulation of the ipsilesional hindpaw at 12 weeks showed a distinct activation of the hindlimb area in the intact, ipsilateral cortex, probably via the injury-spared spinothalamic pathway. Anterograde tracing of corticospinal axons from the intact cortex showed sprouting to recross the midline, innervating the spinal segments below the injury in both cervical and lumbar segments. Retrograde tracing of these midline-crossing axons from the cervical spinal cord (at segment C6/7) revealed the formation of a new ipsilateral forelimb representation in the cortex. Our results demonstrate profound reorganizations of the intact sensory-motor cortex after unilateral spinal cord injury. These changes may contribute to the behavioral adaptations, notably for the recovery of the ipsilesional hindlimb.

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“…They postulated that brain activation changes following SCI suggested an adaptation of UE movement patterns to substitute for wheelchair transfer and propulsion demands. 1 A cultural shift is needed to heighten awareness of wheelchair transfer safety, UE joint injury prevention and preservation of function. This review (1) describes UE use for transfers among individuals with SCI; (2) describes contributing factors associated with UE joint degeneration and loss of transfer independence; (3) summarizes and identi®es gaps in existing research; and (4) provides suggestions for future research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preserving transfer independence among individuals with spinal cord injury

et al. 2000

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Study design: Literature review. Objectives: Upper extremity (UE) joint degeneration, particularly at the shoulder, detrimentally in¯uences functional independence, quality of life, cardiovascular disease risk, and life expectancy of individuals following spinal cord injury (SCI). This review (1) describes UE use for transfers among individuals with SCI; (2) describes contributing factors associated with UE joint degeneration and loss of transfer independence; (3) summarizes and identi®es gaps in existing research; and (4) provides suggestions for future research. Results: Investigations of wheelchair transfer related UE joint and function preservation among individuals with SCI should consider factors including age and length of time from SCI onset, interface between subject-wheelchair, pain, shoulder joint range of motion (ROM) and muscle strength de®ciencies or imbalances, exercise capacity and tolerance for the physical strain of activities of daily living (ADL), body mass and composition, previous UE injury or disease history, and transfer techniques. Existing studies of transfers among individuals with SCI have relied on small groups of either asymptomatic or non-impaired subjects, with minimal integration of kinematic, kinetic and electromyographic data. Descriptions of UE joint ROM, forces, and moments produced during transfers are lacking. Conclusions: Biomechanical measurement and computer modeling have provided increasingly accurate tools for acquiring the data needed to guide intervention planning to prevent UE joint degeneration and preserve function among individuals with SCI. The identi®cation of stressful sub-components during transfers will enable intervening clinicians and engineers who design and modify assistive and adaptive devices to better serve individuals with SCI. Spinal Cord (2000) 38, 649 ± 657

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How does the human brain deal with a spinal cord injury?

Cited by 188 publications

References 19 publications

Levels of brain wave activity (8–13 Hz) in persons with spinal cord injury

Levels of brain wave activity (8–13 Hz) in persons with spinal cord injury

Functional and Anatomical Reorganization of the Sensory-Motor Cortex after Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury in Adult Rats

Preserving transfer independence among individuals with spinal cord injury

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