Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1199732 · Published: June 13, 2023
This study developed a new way to study spinal cord injuries caused by blasts, similar to those experienced in combat. The model simulates a blast wave impacting the spine without directly cutting into it, better mimicking real-world scenarios. The researchers used a special machine to create a consistent blast wave and then looked at how the spinal cord reacted in the days following the injury. They focused on signs of inflammation and damage to nerve cells. The study found that even without a direct impact, the blast wave caused inflammation and some damage to the spinal cord. This suggests that blasts themselves can contribute to spinal cord injuries, separate from other injuries that might occur at the same time.
The novel closed-body model provides a more translational approach for studying bSCI, closely mimicking real-world injury scenarios without the confounding factors of laminectomy.
The study highlights the significant role of glial-driven inflammation in bSCI, offering insights into potential therapeutic targets for mitigating secondary injury cascades.
The model can be used to test and validate treatment approaches for systemic neuroinflammation in the spinal cord, potentially leading to improved clinical outcomes for bSCI patients.