Lateral corticospinal tract damage correlates with motor output in incomplete spinal cord injury

Publication date: Available online 26 October 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Andrew C. Smith, Kenneth A. Weber, Denise R. O'Dell, Todd B. Parrish, Marie Wasielewski, James M. Elliott
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between spinal cord damage and specific motor function in participants with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI).Designsingle-blinded cross-sectional study designSettingUniversity setting research laboratory.ParticipantsFourteen individuals with chronic cervical iSCI (1 female and 13 males, average age = 43 ± 12 years old).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresAxial T2 MRI of spinal cord damage was performed in 14 participants with iSCI. Each participants' damage was processed for total damage quantification, lateral corticospinal tract (LCST) and gracilis fasciculus (GF) analysis. Plantarflexion and knee extension were quantified using an isokinetic dynamometer. Walking ability was assessed using a 6-minute walk test.ResultsTotal damage was correlated with plantarflexion, knee extension, and distance walked in 6 minutes. Right LCST damage was correlated with right plantarflexion and right knee extension, while left LCST damage was correlated with left sided measures. Right and left GF damage were not correlated with the motor output measures.ConclusionsMRI measures of spinal cord damage were correlated to motor function, and this measure appears to have spatial specificity to descending tracts, which may offer prognostic value following spinal cord injury.



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