Neurological Aspects Of Spinal Cord Injury

This clinically focused book aims to cover for the first time all of the neurological aspects relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of spinal cord disease. Furthermore, innovative neurorestorative therapeutic strategies - aiming for repair of the damaged spinal cord and/or reorganization of the remaining nervous system - with significant potential for translation into clinical routine are presented. The book covers a comprehensive list of topics, including epidemiology, neuroanatomy, etiology of compressive and non-compressive spinal cord injury, imaging, neurophysiology, neurological sequelae, and complications with emphasis on dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Both clinically established and preclinical therapies are discussed in detail. The book is suited for trainees and practicing clinicians including neurologists, spine surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, neuroradiologists, and occupational/physical therapists; it will also be of value to neuroscientists involved in research into spinal cord disease.

This comprehensive and practical reference is the perfect resource for the medical specialist treating persons with spinal cord injuries. The book provides detail about all aspects of spinal cord injury and disease. The initial seven chapters present the history, anatomy, imaging, epidemiology, and general acute management of spinal cord injury. The next eleven chapters deal with medical aspects of spinal cord damage, such as pulmonary management and the neurogenic bladder. Chapters on rehabilitation are followed by nine chapters dealing with diseases that cause non-traumatic spinal cord injury. A comprehensive imaging chapter is included with 30 figures which provide the reader with an excellent resource to understand the complex issues of imaging the spine and spinal cord.

This open access book offers an essential overview of brain, head and neck, and spine imaging. Over the last few years, there have been considerable advances in this area, driven by both clinical and technological developments. Written by leading international experts and teachers, the chapters are disease-oriented and cover all relevant imaging modalities, with a focus on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. The book also includes a synopsis of pediatric imaging. IDKD books are rewritten (not merely updated) every four years, which means they offer a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art in imaging. The book is clearly structured and features learning objectives, abstracts, subheadings, tables and take-home points, supported by design elements to help readers navigate the text. It will particularly appeal to general radiologists, radiology residents, and interventional radiologists who want to update their diagnostic expertise, as well as clinicians from other specialties who are interested in imaging for their patient care.

Brain Protection Strategies and Nanomedicine, Volume 266 in the Progress in Brain Research serial highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on a variety of topics, including Histamine H3 and H4 receptors modulate Parkinson’s disease induced brain pathology: Neuroprotective effects of nanowired BF-2649 and clobenpropit with anti-histamine-antibody therapy, Ultra Early Molecular Biologic Diagnosis Of Malignant And Neurodegenerative Diseases By The Immunospecific Profiles Of The Proteins Markers Of The Surface Of The Mobilized Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cells, Neuroprotective effects of Insulin like growth factor-1 on Engineered metal Nanoparticles Ag, Cu and Al induced blood-brain barrier breakdown, and more. Other chapters cover how Methamphetamine exacerbates pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury at high altitude: Neuroprotective effects of nanodelivery of a potent antioxidant compound H-290/51, Effectiveness of bortezomib and temozolomide for eradication of recurrent human glioblastoma cells, resistant to radiation, and more. Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors Presents the latest release in Progress in Brain Research serials Includes the latest information on brain protection strategies and nanomedicine

Following injury or disease, neural circuitry can be altered to varying degrees leading to highly individualized characteristics that may or may not resemble original function. In addition, lost or partially damaged circuits and the effects of biological recovery processes coupled with learned compensatory strategies create a new neuroanatomy with capabilities that are often not functional or may interfere with daily life. To date, the majority of approaches used to treat neurological dysfunction have focused on the replacement of lost or damaged function, usually through the suppression of surviving neural activity and the application of mechanical assistive devices. Restorative Neurology of Spinal Cord Injury offers a different and novel approach. Focusing on the spinal cord and its role in motor control, the book details the clinical and neurophysiological assessment process and methods developed throughout the past half century by basic and clinical scientists. Then, through the use of specialized clinical and neurophysiological testing methods, conduction and processing performed within the surviving neural circuitry is examined and characterized in detail. Based on the results of such assessment, treatment strategies, also described in this book, are applied to augment, rather than replace, the performance of surviving neural circuitry and improve the functional capacity of people who have experienced injury to their spinal cords.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury will enhance readers’ understanding of the complexities of the diagnosis and management of spinal cord injuries. Featuring chapters on drug delivery, exercise, and rehabilitation, this volume discusses in detail the impact of the clinical features, diagnosis, management, and long-term prognosis of spinal cord injuries on the lives of those affected. The book has applicability for neuroscientists, neurologists, clinicians, and anyone working to better understand spinal cord injuries. Spinal injury affects about 10 million people annually worldwide, impacting on the family unit and causing lifelong disabilities, with varied symptoms including paresthesia, spasticity, loss of motor control, and often severe pain. Cellular, Molecular, Physiological, and Behavioral Aspects of Spinal Cord Injury will enhance readers’ understanding of the biological and psychological effects of spinal cord injury. Featuring chapters on gene expression, metabolic effects, and behavior, this volume discusses in detail the impact of spinal cord injury to better understand the underlying pathways and processes. The book has applicability for neuroscientists, neurologists, clinicians, and anyone working to better understand these injuries. Diagnosis and Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury: Covers both the diagnosis and treatment of spinal cord injury Contains chapter abstracts, key facts, dictionary, and summary points to aid in understanding Features chapters on epidemiology and pain Includes MRI usage, biomarkers, and stem cell and gene therapy for management of spinal cord injury Discusses pain reduction, drug delivery, and rehabilitation Cellular, Molecular, Physiological, and Behavioral Aspects of Spinal Cord Injury: Summarizes the neuroscience of spinal cord injury, including cellular and molecular biology Contains chapter abstracts, key facts, dictionary, and summary points to aid in understanding Features chapters on signaling and hormonal events Includes plasticity and gene expression Examines health and stress behaviors after spinal cord injury

Spinal Cord Injury Pain presents the basis for preclinical and clinical investigations, along with strategies for new approaches in the treatment of central neuropathic pain. Contributors from the private sector and academia provide a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art research in this challenging space. Topics include Epidemiology of Chronic Pain Following SCI, experimental models and mechanisms of chronic pain in SCI, and new targets and technologies. This book serves as a resource for continued translational research that will result in novel approaches and treatments that improve function and quality of life for individuals with CNP/SCI. Despite a better understanding of the complexity of mechanisms of CNP/SCI, improved medical and surgical management of SCI, and the subsequent acceleration of the identification of new targets and the development of novel analgesics, there is still a great unmet clinical need in the area of CNP following SCI. Hence, this book is a welcomed addition to current research and developments. Provides a comprehensive resource for novel approaches and treatments that improve function and quality of life for individuals with CNP/SCI Includes contributors from the private sector and academia Covers epidemiology of chronic pain following SCI, experimental models, mechanisms of chronic pain in SCI, and new targets and technologies

This comprehensive, up-to-date guide to the rehabilitation care of persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders draws on the ever-expanding scientific and clinical evidence base to provide clinicians with all the knowledge needed in order to make optimal management decisions during the acute, subacute, and chronic phases. A wealth of information is presented on the diverse medical consequences and complications encountered in these patients and on the appropriate rehabilitative measures in each circumstance. The coverage encompasses all forms of spinal cord injury and all affected organ systems. Readers will also find chapters on the basics of functional anatomy, neurological classification and evaluation, injuries specifically in children and the elderly, and psychological issues. The book will be an invaluable aid to assessment and medical care for physicians and other professional personnel in multiple specialties, including physiatrists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, internists, critical care physicians, urologists, neurologists, psychologists, and social workers.

Although there are over 400,000 people each year in the United States alone who suffer from traumatic injury to the central nervous system (CNS), no phar macological treatment is currently available. Considering the enormity of the problem in terms of human tragedy as well as the economic burden to families and societies alike, it is surprising that so little effort is being made to develop treatments for these disorders. Although no one can become inured to the victims of brain or spinal cord injuries, one reason that insufficient time and effort have been devoted to research on recovery is that it is a generally held medical belief that nervous system injuries are simply not amenable to treatment. At best, current therapies are aimed at providing symptomatic relief or focus on re habilitative measures and the teaching of alternative behavioral strategies to help patients cope with their impairments, with only marginal results in many cases. Only within the last decade have neuroscientists begun to make serious inroads into understanding and examining the inherent "plasticity" found in the adult CNS. Ten years or so ago, very few researchers or clinicians would have thought that damaged central neurons could sprout new terminals or that intact nerve fibers in a damaged pathway could proliferate to replace inputs from neurons that died as a result of injury.