RecruitingNCT05681936

Functional and Structural Changes in the Central Nervous System Following Spinal Cord Injury

Sponsor

University of Zurich

Enrollment

225 participants

Start Date

Jan 1, 2023

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction Degenerative Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Summary

Building on recent improvements, state-of-the-art functional MRI will be applied as an advanced diagnostic tool for the lumbosacral cord in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients to characterize the remaining neuronal activity of the motor and sensory neurons. Alterations in the activity pattern will reveal the effect upon task-related spinal cord activity of the lower motor neurons and sensory neurons undergoing trauma-induced neurodegeneration, at a spatial specificity that has not been possible so far. Results of this study will be of crucial importance because SCI patients can only profit from regeneration-inducing therapies if spinal neuronal function is preserved below the level of lesion.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study looks at how the brain and spinal cord change over time following spinal cord injury (SCI) or degenerative myelopathy, using advanced MRI scans to map structural and functional changes. You may be eligible if you: - Are over 18 years old - Have chronic traumatic SCI (more than 12 months after injury), degenerative myelopathy, acute SCI (less than 2 months), or are undergoing tibial nerve stimulation for neurogenic bladder - Are willing to follow the study protocol You may NOT be eligible if you: - Have MRI contraindications (pacemaker, metallic implants) - Have a history of psychiatric or neurological disease unrelated to SCI (e.g., epilepsy) - Are pregnant or breastfeeding - Have a BMI greater than 35 Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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