SCI Science Perspectives

Join us in this episode for a conversation with Aaron Phillips, PhD, scientist and Associate Dean of the Medical School at the University of Calgary. In this conversation we discuss two papers, A neuronal architecture underlying autonomic dysreflexia published in the journal Nature, and An implantable system to restore hemodynamic stability after spinal cord injury published in the journal Nature Medicine. In these papers Dr. Phillips and his team first identify specific neuronal components, and their location, responsible for blood pressure increases due to autonomic dysreflexia. Then an implantable device is demonstrated to help control, via neuromodulation, blood pressure fluctuations in both pre-clinical models and people living with SCI. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Phillips outlines this tour de force in neurologically understanding, and intervening on, hemodynamic instability after SCI.

Join us in this episode for a conversation with Aaron Phillips, PhD, scientist and Associate Dean of the Medical School at the University of Calgary. In this conversation we discuss two papers, A neuronal architecture underlying autonomic dysreflexia published in the journal Nature, and An implantable system to restore hemodynamic stability after spinal cord injury published in the journal Nature Medicine. In these papers Dr. Phillips and his team first identify specific neuronal components, and their location, responsible for blood pressure increases due to autonomic dysreflexia. Then an implantable device is demonstrated to help control, via neuromodulation, blood pressure fluctuations in both pre-clinical models and people living with SCI. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Phillips outlines this tour de force in neurologically understanding, and intervening on, hemodynamic instability after SCI.

Join us in this episode for a conversation with Argyrios “Argy” Stampas, MD, physiatrist, Vice Chair of Research and Innovation and Full Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UTHealth Houston’s McGovern Medical School, and Director of Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Research at TIRR Memorial Hermann. In this conversation we discuss the paper titled “Reduction of Overactive Bladder Medications in Spinal Cord Injury with Self-Administered Neuromodulation: A randomized Trial" published in The Journal of Urology. In this paper Dr. Stampas discusses self-administered tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) for neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury (SCI). The discussion highlights how noninvasive neuromodulation can reduce overactive bladder medication use, explores the underlying mechanisms, and considers what these findings mean for daily life and future SCI bladder management. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Stampas describes this device with the potential to reduce drug dependence for overactive bladder, and trust you will enjoy this episode.

Join us in this episode for a conversation with Argyrios “Argy” Stampas, MD, physiatrist, Vice Chair of Research and Innovation and Full Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UTHealth Houston’s McGovern Medical School, and Director of Spinal Cord Injury Medicine Research at TIRR Memorial Hermann. In this conversation we discuss the paper titled “Reduction of Overactive Bladder Medications in Spinal Cord Injury with Self-Administered Neuromodulation: A randomized Trial" published in The Journal of Urology. In this paper Dr. Stampas discusses self-administered tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) for neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury (SCI). The discussion highlights how noninvasive neuromodulation can reduce overactive bladder medication use, explores the underlying mechanisms, and considers what these findings mean for daily life and future SCI bladder management. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Stampas describes this device with the potential to reduce drug dependence for overactive bladder, and trust you will enjoy this episode.

Join us this episode for a conversation with Linda Ehrlich-Jones, RN, PhD, Associate Director of the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and a Research Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. In this conversation we discuss the current state of the art in medicine for chronic pain in people living with spinal cord injury (SCI), with a focus on care that does not require drugs. The paper explaining the process is titled "Behavioral/Physical and Stimulation Interventions for Chronic Pain Following Spinal Cord Injury: A systematic review" published in Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation. In this paper Dr. Ehrlich-Jones compared behavioral and complementary therapies with neuromodulation-based stimulation approaches for managing chronic neuropathic (or "nerve") pain after SCI. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Ehrlich-Jones gives a thorough current update on drug-free pain management, and trust you will enjoy this episode.

Join us this episode for a conversation with Linda Ehrlich-Jones, RN, PhD, Associate Director of the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and a Research Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. In this conversation we discuss the current state of the medical evidence for intervening on chronic pain in people living with spinal cord injury, with a focus on strategies that do not require drugs. The paper explaining the process is titled "Behavioral/Physical and Stimulation Interventions for Chronic Pain Following Spinal Cord Injury: A systematic review" published in Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation. In this paper Dr. Ehrlich-Jones discuss a systematic literature review that compared behavioral and complementary therapies with neuromodulation-based stimulation approaches for managing chronic neuropathic pain after SCI, including their evidence base, clinical feasibility, and implications for future treatment innovation. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Ehrlich-Jones gives a thorough current update on non-pharmacological pain management, and trust you will enjoy this episode.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) coalesces data from the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems Centers (SCIMS), a network of combined research and care teams that specialize in spinal cord injury (SCI). The statistical center generates national SCI demography, published in their annual full report and "facts and figures" summary. In this summary, a variety of experts will tell us about their use of the NSCISC and their experience with SCIMS, including a history of these important national services and the importance of continuing them into the future. Importantly, this episode was planned and hosted in conjunction with INside the OUTcomes: A Rehabilitation Research Podcast, with their producer-host Sharon Parmet.

Join us this episode for a conversation with Stephen Burns, MD, physiatrist, Professor of PM&R at University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, and Director of SCI Service at VA Puget Sound. In this conversation we discuss the process of shortening, or expediting, the International Standards for the Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) exam. Most people know this exam, which assigns a level and grade to their injury, as their "ASIA" exam. The paper explaining the process is titled "“Development and validation of an algorithm for item reduction of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury examination to determine level and severity of SCI" which was recently accepted for publication in Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation." In this paper Dr. Burns and their team discuss the process by which this rather long exam can be reduced to less than half the items with acceptable accuracy for some, but not all, types of spinal cord injury. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Burns gives an insider perspective on the new E-ISNCSCI, and trust you will enjoy this episode on making an important but long exam quite a bit shorter. Other resources: ASIA's webpage on the E-ISNCSCI: https://asia-spinalinjury.org/expedited-isncsci-exam/Upcoming webinar on the E-ISNCSCI: https://asia-spinalinjury.org/tscir-webinars/

Join us this episode for a conversation with Stephen Burns, MD, physiatrist, Professor of PM&R at University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, and Director of SCI Service at VA Puget Sound. In this conversation we discuss the process of minting a shortened, or expedited, version of the International Standards for the Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) exam. The paper explaining the process is titled "“Development and validation of an algorithm for item reduction of the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury examination to determine level and severity of SCI" which was recently accepted for publication in Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation." In this paper Dr. Burns and their team discuss the process by which a 134 item physical exam can be reduced to 42 +/- 10 exam items with acceptable accuracy for some, but not all, neurological levels and impairment scales. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Burns gives an insider perspective on the E-ISNCSCI-V2, and trust you will enjoy this episode on the second iteration of shorting the ISNCSCI. Other resources: ASIA's webpage on the E-ISNCSCI: https://asia-spinalinjury.org/expedited-isncsci-exam/Upcoming webinar on the E-ISNCSCI: https://asia-spinalinjury.org/tscir-webinars/

Join us this episode for a conversation with Norbert Weidner, MD, Professor and Chair of the Spinal Cord Injury Center at Heidelberg University Hospital. In this conversation we discuss results of a clinical trial called the Neuroimmunophilin Nogo-A Antibody in Spinal Cord Injury (NISCI) trial. Findings from this trial were published in a paper titled "Safety and efficacy of intrathecal antibodies to Nogo-A in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial" in the journal Lancet Neurology. In this paper Weidner and the NISCI team discuss the top-line findings from this large multi-center clinical trial where a drug (with antibodies against Nogo-A, a protein found in the walls of spinal cord neurons and their support cells) were given to people early after their accident. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Weidner gives an insider perspective on the NISCI trial, and trust you will enjoy our conversation on new pharmaology in the acute phase of SCI.

Join us this episode for a conversation with Norbert Weidner, MD, Professor and Chair of the Spinal Cord Injury Center at Heidelberg University Hospital. In this conversation we discuss results of the Neuroimmunophilin Nogo-A Antibody in Spinal Cord Injury (NISCI) trial, published in a paper titled "Safety and efficacy of intrathecal antibodies to Nogo-A in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial" in the journal Lancet Neurology. In this paper Weidner and their NISCI team discuss the top-line findings from a large multi-center clinical trial where antibodies against Nogo-A were administered to the spinal space early after acquired SCI. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Weidner gives an insider perspective on the NISCI trial, and trust you will enjoy our conversation on intrathecal drug delivery in the acute phase of SCI.

Join us in this episode for a conversation with Jen French and Ian Burkhart, leaders of neurotech development movements and users of implanted neurological devices. Our guests share briefly about their experience with implanted devices, and then the conversation zooms in on exciting recently developments in implantable brain-computer interface (iBCI) and electrical simulation options such as epidural spinal cord stimulation (eSCS). Having been through the process, Jen and Ian deliberate on the importance and steps in engaging people with the lived-experience of paralysis in the development of meaningful clinical outcome assessments for clinical trials. Safety and aversion to electing for implantation are also discussed. We hope you enjoy this episode with Jen French and Ian Burkhart on these exciting neurological technologies and the role of lived-experience in neurotech now and in the future.

Join us this episode for a conversation with Daniela Terson de Paleville, PhD, professor of Physiology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and Marcelo Gatti, PT, director of neurorehabilitation in the area of spinal cord injury at Fleni Institute Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In this conversation we discuss the paper titled "Gait recovery in patients with late assessment of incomplete spinal cord injury: A retrospective study in Argentina" published in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. In this paper Terson de Paleville and Gatti discuss the current state of neurorehabilitation targeting recovery of walking after incomplete spinal cord injury at the Fleni Institute in particular and Argentina more broadly. We invite you to listen in as Terson de Paleville and Gatti connect Latin America to ASIA both in their science and in our discussion, and trust you will enjoy our multi-lingual conversation on Argentinian gait rehabilitation.

Join us this episode for a conversation with Daniela Terson de Paleville, PhD, professor of Physiology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and Marcelo Gatti, PT, director of neurorehabilitation in the area of spinal cord injury at Fleni Institute Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In this conversation we discuss the paper titled "Gait recovery in patients with late assessment of incomplete spinal cord injury: A retrospective study in Argentina" published in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. In this paper Terson de Paleville and Gatti discuss the current state of neurorehabilitation targeting recovery of gait after incomplete spinal cord injury at the Fleni Institute in particular and Argentina more broadly. We invite you to listen in as Terson de Paleville and Gatti connect Latin America to ASIA both in their science and in our discussion, and trust you will enjoy our multi-lingual conversation on Argentinian gait rehabilitation.

Join us in this episode for a conversation with Matthew Rodreick, Executive Director of Unite 2 Fight Paralysis (U2FP). Matt offers a concise perspective on U2FP, including reflection on interaction between U2FP and ASIA. The thrust of the conversation then moves to the timely topic of state-level funding, with Matt running through success stories from U2FP's Cure Advocacy Network (CAN) and sharing his insider perspective on setting up state funding for spinal cord injury (SCI) research. We hope you enjoy this episode with Matt on the the past, present, and future of U2FP with a unique eye for a novel funding source.

Join us this episode for a conversation with Bharadwaj "Bharad" Nandakumar, PhD, of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, for a conversation about the paper titled "Exercise therapy guides cortical reorganization after midthoracic spinal contusion to enhance control of lower thoracic muscles, supporting functional recovery" published in the journal Experimental Neurology. In this paper Dr. Nandakumar and his team leverage the proven power of somatotopic mapping to examine the less explored area of brain-trunk circuits and the effect that exercise has on recovery of neurological control of the trunk after spinal cord injury. We trust you will enjoy our conversation with Dr. Nandakumar on the important yet often overlooked topic of trunk control and rehabilitation.

Join us this episode for a conversation with Bharadwaj "Bharad" Nandakumar, PhD, of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, for a conversation about the paper titled "Exercise therapy guides cortical reorganization after midthoracic spinal contusion to enhance control of lower thoracic muscles, supporting functional recovery" published in the journal Experimental Neurology. In this paper Dr. Nandakumar and his team leverage the proven power of somatotopic mapping to examine the less explored area of brain-trunk circuits and the effect that exercise has on recovery of neurological control of the trunk after spinal cord injury. We trust you will enjoy our conversation with Dr. Nandakumar on the important yet often overlooked topic of trunk control and rehabilitation.

Join us this episode for a conversation with Dr. James D. Guest, MD, PhD, of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, for a conversation about the paper titled "Non-invasive spinal cord electrical stimulation for arm and hand function in chronic tetraplegia: a safety and efficacy trial" published in the journal Nature Medicine. This paper is the culmination of commercialization efforts to bring to market a noninvasive ("transcutaneous ") electrical spinal cord simulator for the purpose of recover of upper extremity motor strength. We trust you will enjoy our conversation with Dr. Guest, who was a site-Principal Investigator (PI) for the Up-LIFT trial sponsored by Onward Medical Inc., in the timely wake of the exciting FDA approval of the now-titled ARC-EX® device that was studied in this pivotal clinical trial.

Join us this episode for a conversation with Dr. James D. Guest, MD, PhD, of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, for a conversation about the paper titled "Non-invasive spinal cord electrical stimulation for arm and hand function in chronic tetraplegia: a safety and efficacy trial" published in the journal Nature Medicine. This paper is the culmination of commercialization efforts to bring to market a transcutaneous ("noninvasive") electrical spinal cord simulator for the purpose of recover of upper extremity motor strength. We trust you will enjoy our conversation with Dr. Guest, who was a site-Principal Investigator (PI) for the Up-LIFT trial sponsored by Onward Medical Inc., in the timely wake of the exciting FDA approval of the now-titled ARC-EX® device that was studied in this pivotal clinical trial.

Join us for the episode for a conversation with Drs. Ona Bloom and Adam Stein on the topic of including people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the education of medical students. In this conversation we discuss the paper titled "Experiences and recommendations from people with spinal cord injury following participation in a disability education session at an allopathic medical school: a qualitative study" published in the journal Spinal Cord Series and Cases. We hope you enjoy this exploration of the important topic of incorporating people living with SCI in medical education, with Drs. Ona Bloom and Adam Stein.