Animal models of compression spinal cord injury

J Neurosci Res, 2022 · DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25120 · Published: September 1, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Trauma Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

Compression spinal cord injuries are a common cause of morbidity in people who experience a spinal cord injury (SCI). Either as a by-product of a traumatic injury or due to nontraumatic conditions such as cervical myelitis, compression injuries are growing in prevalence clinically and many attempts of animal replication have been described within the literature. These models, however, often focus on the traumatic side of injury or mimic short-term injuries that are not representative of the majority of compression SCI. Of this, nontraumatic spinal cord injuries are severely understudied and have an increased prevalence in elderly populations, adults, and children. In this review, each of these animal models of spinal cord compression will be evaluated for their use in modeling human spinal cord compression injury and their future potential for accurate and useful intervention techniques in NTSCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
The review describes current animal models of compressive SCI and evaluated their broader applications. Models that are reproducible, uncomplicated, and adaptable across species and ages have the most potential for translational research.
2
The compressive SCI models discussed here are primarily well-established and clinically relevant models that mimic acute spinal cord compression. However, the application of animal models for chronic NTSCI is not as prevalent.
3
Screw compression and solid spacer compression provide a long-term compression injury that mimics what is seen clinically in tumors, spinal cord stenosis, spondylitis, and metastasis but are not yet well-established.

Research Summary

Compression spinal cord injuries are a common cause of morbidity in people who experience a spinal cord injury (SCI). Either as a by-product of a traumatic injury or due to nontraumatic conditions such as cervical myelitis, compression injuries are growing in prevalence clinically and many attempts of animal replication have been described within the literature. In this review paper, we described current animal models of compressive SCI and evaluated their broader applications. Models that are reproducible, uncomplicated, and adaptable across species and ages have the most potential for translational research. Animal models of compressive SCI vary in their approach and in their complexity. While acute spinal cord compression is relatively easily modeled it is more difficult to establish a clinically relevant chronic spinal cord compression and even harder to model one that does not require a laminectomy or an extensively invasive technique to access the cord.

Practical Implications

Model Selection for Research

Researchers should carefully select animal models that accurately represent the type and chronicity of spinal cord compression they aim to study, differentiating between acute and chronic models.

Age-Related Considerations

Future studies should prioritize the inclusion of both young and elderly animal models to better reflect the demographics of NTSCI patients and develop appropriate intervention strategies for these age groups.

Minimally Invasive Techniques

There is a need for the development and refinement of less invasive animal models of compression SCI that minimize damage to the spinal column, such as the screw compression model, to reduce confounding factors and better mimic clinical scenarios.

Study Limitations

1
Many models rely on laminectomy, altering spinal fluid dynamics.
2
Most models focus on adult animals, not reflecting the prevalence in young and elderly populations.
3
Some models lack reproducibility or are technically challenging.

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