The process also kills the vital oligodendrocytes that surround and protect the spinal axons with the myelin insulation that allows the spinal nerves to transmit information to and from the brain.
Invasion of immune cells. An army of cells of the immune system speeds to the damaged area of the spine.
While they help by preventing infection and cleaning up dead cellular debris, they also promote inflammation. These immune cells stimulate the release of certain cytokines that, in high concentrations, can be toxic to nerve cells, especially those needed to maintain the myelin sheath around axons. The inflammation caused by cells in the immune system unleashes waves of free radicals, which are highly reactive forms of oxygen molecules.
These free radicals react destructively with many types of cellular molecules, in the process severely damaging healthy nerve cells. Nerve cell self-destruction. A normally natural process of programmed cell death, known as apoptosis, goes out of control at the injury site. A rehabilitation team is usually led by a doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation called a physiatrist and often includes social workers, physical and occupational therapists, recreational therapists, rehabilitation nurses, rehabilitation psychologists, vocational counselors, nutritionists, a case worker, and other specialists.
In the initial phase of rehabilitation, therapists emphasize regaining communication skills and leg and arm strength. For some individuals, mobility will only be possible with assistive devices such as a walker, leg braces, or a wheelchair. Communication skills such as writing, typing, and using the telephone may also require adaptive devices for some people with tetraplegia.
Adaptive devices also may help people with spinal cord injury to regain independence and improve mobility and quality of life. Such devices may include a wheelchair, electronic stimulators, assisted training with walking, neural prostheses assistive devices that may stimulate the nerves to restore lost functions , computer adaptations, and other computer-assisted technology. Other NIH components, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs, other Federal agencies, research institutions, and voluntary health organizations, also fund and conduct basic to clinical research related to improvement of function in paralyzed individuals.
Basic spinal cord function research studies how the normal spinal cord develops, processes sensory information, controls movement, and generates rhythmic patterns like walking and breathing. Basic studies using cells and animal models provide an essential foundation for developing interventions for spinal cord injury.
Research on injury mechanisms focuses on what causes immediate harm and on the cascade of helpful and harmful bodily reactions that protect from or contribute to damage in the hours and days following a spinal cord injury. This includes testing of neuroprotective interventions in laboratory animals. Current research on SCI is focused on advancing our understanding of four key principles of spinal cord repair:. Neural engineering strategies build on decades of pioneering NINDS investment that established the field of neural prostheses.
For example, researchers are developing a networked functional electrical stimulation system to restore independence through combined implants for hand function, postural control, and bowel and bladder control. NINDS has also led development of experimental brain computer interfaces that enable people to control a computer cursor or robotic arm directly from their brains.
Clinical research uses human volunteers—both those who are healthy or may have an illness or disease—to help researchers learn more about a disorder and perhaps find better ways to safely detect, treat, or prevent disease.
Other centers maintain registries of people interested in participating in ongoing or future clinical research studies. A multi-site network supported by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation called the NeuroRecovery Network also accepts volunteer research participants.
Box Bethesda, MD Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Email: miamiproject miami. When the person arrives at the hospital, doctors will do a physical and complete neurological exam. Because spinal cord injuries are often due to unpredictable events, the best you can do is reduce your risk. Some risk-reducing measures include:. Some people lead full and productive lives after a spinal cord injury.
However, there are severe potential effects of a spinal cord injury. The vast majority of people will need assistive devices such as walkers or wheelchairs to deal with loss of mobility, and some may even be paralyzed from the neck down. You may need assistance with daily living activities and learn to perform tasks differently. Pressure sores and urinary tract infections are common complications.
You also may expect to undergo intense rehabilitation treatment for your spinal cord injury. Follow these hacks each day to improve, protect, and straighten your spine. Autonomic dysreflexia AD , also known as autonomic hyperreflexia, is a condition in which your involuntary nervous system overreacts to stimuli.
Paralysis is a loss of muscle function in part of your body. It can affect any part of your body at any time in your life. A treatment plan and…. Traumatic events can cause physical, emotional, or psychological, harm.
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