Spinal Cord Injuries
Conditions
Brief summary
The objective of this study is to better understand the structural and functional changes that the central nervous system (CNS) undergoes following spinal cord injury and how these changes relate to clinical measures. Both macroscopic and microscopic changes of the brain and the spinal cord will be examined in SCI patients and compared to healthy controls. In terms of structural plasticity, we aim to identify MR biomarkers that allow predicting the course of the patient's neurological status and accurately describe the course of the disease and the recovery. Importantly, we aim to investigate which factors scale the patients' symptoms. In terms of functional plasticity, we will combine fMRI with behavioural testing to understand which clinical and behavioural determinants drive functional hand representations in the primary somatosensory and motor cortices to be maintained and which determinants drive reorganisation of functional representations following sensory input loss. We will further investigate the contribution of brainstem reorganisation to plasticity observed at the cortical level and, by doing so, aim to better understand the mechanistic underpinnings of functional reorganisation.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTMRI
We will examine acute (\<4 weeks post SCI) to chronic (\>6 months post SCI) patients using functional, structural, and metabolic MRI in both the brain and the spinal cord.
Sponsors
University of Zurich
Study design
Observational model
CASE_CONTROL
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 75 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
- Patients: * Age 18-75 * Traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury (para- and tetraplegia) * Acute (\<4 weeks post SCI) to chronic SCI (\> 6 months post SCI) * Signed informed consent
Exclusion criteria
- Patients: * Contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging * Neurological impairment of body function impairments not induced by spinal cord injury * BMI \> 40 * Pregnancy * Claustrophobia Inclusion Criteria - Healthy subjects: * Age 18-75 * Signed Informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameter | Up to 50 weeks | Structural characteristics in the brain and cervical spinal cord are assessed in acute to chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients using conventional MRI and compared to healthy controls |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) parameter | Up to 50 weeks | Metabolic parameters are assessed in acute to chronic SCI patients using MRS in the brain and cervical spinal cord and compared to healthy controls |
| Change of functional MRI (fMRI) parameter between 2 to 4 time points | Up to 50 weeks | Change of brain activities is assessed between 2 to 4 time points using fMRI during resting-state or a specific task in acute to chronic SCI patients and compared to healthy controls |
Countries
Switzerland
Contacts
Primary ContactMaryam Seif, PD Dr.
Backup ContactSanne Kikkert
Outcome results
None listed