Combined SCI and TBI: Recovery of forelimb function after unilateral cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) is retarded by contralateral traumatic brain injury (TBI), and ipsilateral TBI balances the effects of SCI on paw placement

Exp Neurol, 2013 · DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2013.06.006 · Published: October 1, 2013

Spinal Cord Injury Neurorehabilitation Brain Injury

Simple Explanation

Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) frequently have traumatic brain injury (TBI), creating problems for rehabilitation and drug therapies. This study uses a rat model to understand combined SCI and TBI, examining how these injuries affect forelimb function depending on the injury location. The study found that TBI and SCI affected forelimb function differently, influencing exploratory paw placement and grooming based on the injury's location.

Study Duration

6 weeks

Participants

Female Long-Evans hooded rats (n=59)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
SCI combined with contralateral TBI severely impaired paw placement recovery, while SCI with ipsilateral TBI increased paw use on the injured side.
2
SCI combined with contralateral TBI worsened grooming recovery compared to either injury alone.
3
The combination of SCI and TBI had significantly different effects on outcomes and recovery, depending on the laterality of the injuries.

Research Summary

This study investigates the effects of combined spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) on forelimb function in rats, using a unilateral cervical contusion and controlled cortical impact injury model. The findings demonstrate that contralateral TBI exacerbates deficits and reduces recovery after SCI, while ipsilateral TBI can balance paw use. The results emphasize the complexity of recovery from combined CNS injuries, highlighting the importance of considering balanced activity and potential inhibitory effects in treatment planning for patients with dual diagnoses.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

Rehabilitation strategies should consider the laterality of brain injury in combined SCI and TBI cases.

Therapeutic Development

Therapies need to account for the complex interactions between SCI and TBI to optimize adaptive plasticity.

Clinical Practice

Clinical practice needs to address the problem of balancing inputs after injury, potentially suppressing activity from unbalanced inputs to improve function.

Study Limitations

1
The study uses a rat model, which may not fully translate to human recovery.
2
The model employs unilateral injuries, which are not as common as bilateral injuries in clinical settings.
3
The study focuses primarily on forelimb function and may not capture the full spectrum of deficits associated with combined SCI and TBI.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury