Dorsal and ventral horn atrophy is associated with clinical outcome after spinal cord injury

Neurology, 2018 · DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000005361 · Published: April 24, 2018

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Medical Imaging

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to sensorimotor dysfunction due to damage at the injury site, triggering secondary neurodegenerative processes throughout the spinal cord and brain. Advancements in MRI techniques now allow for detailed assessment of gray and white matter changes in the cervical spinal cord after SCI. This study investigates how cord atrophy above the injury level is influenced by pathophysiologic processes in gray and white matter and whether tissue-specific neurodegeneration relates to clinical outcomes.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

17 tetraplegic patients and 21 controls

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Neurodegeneration was observed in the dorsal and ventral horns, as well as white matter above the injury level.
2
Dorsal horn atrophy correlated with sensory outcome, while ventral horn atrophy correlated with motor outcome.
3
White matter integrity in the dorsal columns and corticospinal tracts was linked to independence in daily living.

Research Summary

This study investigated the relationship between tissue-specific cord pathology, neurophysiologic function, and clinical impairment after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The extent of tissue damage at the lesion epicenter is associated with neurodegeneration above the lesion level, which in turn correlates with clinical and neurophysiologic abnormalities. Remote neurodegeneration in gray matter, in addition to white matter pathology, contributes to motor and sensory impairment, suggesting a cascade of neurodegenerative changes throughout the spinal cord and brain after SCI.

Practical Implications

Biomarker Identification

Tissue-specific cord pathology offers potential biomarkers for targeting and monitoring neuroregenerative and neuroprotective agents.

Therapeutic Targets

Understanding secondary neurodegenerative events may provide insights into new therapeutic interventions for acute and chronic SCI.

Clinical Monitoring

Neuroimaging biomarkers may serve as surrogate markers for future clinical trials, supplementing clinical outcome measures.

Dorsal and ventral horn atrophy is associated with clinical outcome after spinal cord injury

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Biomarker Identification

Therapeutic Targets

Clinical Monitoring

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Dorsal and ventral horn atrophy is associated with clinical outcome after spinal cord injury

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Biomarker Identification

Therapeutic Targets

Clinical Monitoring

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?