NW0304: The Continuing Ed Chronicle™ --  March 2004

SPINAL CORD INJURIES-- New Research, Resources and Technology

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OBJECTIVES

The case managers will be able to:

1. Explain:

• how the spinal cord works,
• what happens when the spinal cord is injured
• the injured spinal cord’s impact on the rest of the body

2. Discuss how current research is helping spinal cord injury patients

3. Describe ‘secondary damage’ which results from spinal cord injury

4. Explain the mechanisms necessary for successful nerve cell/supportive cell regeneration and discuss the current research in basic and applied regeneration

5. Discuss the following therapies/strategies in use currently:

• Drug therapy
• Neural prostheses
• Rehabilitation

OUTLINES

A. A Short History of the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury
B. How Does the Spinal Cord Work?
C. What Happens When the Spinal Cord Is Injured?
D. What Are the Immediate Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury?
E. How Does a Spinal Cord Injury Affect the Rest of the Body?
F. How Does Rehabilitation Help People Recover From Spinal Cord Injuries?
G. How Is Research Helping Spinal Cord Injury Patients?
H. The Future of Spinal Cord Research

A. Executive Summary

• Current Understanding and Treatment
• Secondary Damage
• Regeneration
• Current Interventions
• Preclinical and Clinical Testing of New Therapies
• Conclusion - Executive Summary

B.Introduction
C.Current Understanding and Treatment

1. The Normal Spinal Cord
2. Anatomical and Functional Changes After Injury
3. Clinical Management
4. Conclusion

D.Secondary Damage

1. Immune System Reactions
2. Oxidative Damage
3. Calcium and Excitotoxicity
4. Necrosis and Apoptosis
5. Axon Damage
6. Changes Below the Injury
7. Conclusion

E. Regeneration

1.Implications of Development

a. Nerve Cell Differentiation
b. Axon Pathfinding
c. Synapse Formation

2. Basic Regeneration Studies

a. Trophic Factors
b. Intrinsic Growth Programs
c. Barriers to Growth

3. Applied Regeneration Studies

a. Transplantation
b. Trophic Factors
c. Anti-Inhibitory Factors
d. Combination Therapies

4.Conclusion - Regeneration

F.Current Interventions

1. Drug Therapy
2. Neural Protheses
3. Rehabilitation
4. Conclusion - Current Interventions

G. Preclinical and Clinical Testing of New Therapies

1. Preclinical Testing
2. Clinical Trials
3. Conclusion - Preclinical and Clinical Testing of New Therapies

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