The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system, housed within the vertebral column of the spine. It extends from the brainstem down the back and acts as a major conduit for transmitting information between the brain and the rest of the body. Structurally, the spinal cord is made up of nerves that carry incoming sensory data to the brain and outgoing motor commands to the muscles. It is segmented into different regions corresponding to the nerve roots that branch off to innervate specific parts of the body. These regions include the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral areas. The spinal cord also plays a critical role in reflex actions, which are immediate responses to certain stimuli that do not require direct involvement from the brain. Damage to the spinal cord can lead to significant impairments like paralysis and loss of sensation below the site of injury, reflecting its crucial role in bodily functions.
Research presented at the 26th European Congress of Endocrinology in Stockholm suggests that measuring the total fat mass in the arms could help predict the…
A tiny, flexible electronic device that wraps around the spinal cord could represent a new approach to the treatment of spinal injuries, which can cause…
Study in mice finds that a widely-used medication prevents damage to fat tissue from injuries A new animal study suggests that conditions like diabetes, heart…
Aya Takeoka and her team at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science in Japan have identified the neural pathways in the spinal cord that facilitate…
New research reveals that spinal cord neurons possess the capability to learn and retain information independently of the brain. The spinal cord is often described…
Innovative nanogels developed by researchers have shown effectiveness in targeting glial cells for the treatment of spinal cord injuries, offering a new avenue for therapeutic…
An engineer from Pitt has been awarded $557K in NIH funding to conduct the world’s first in vivo trials of metamaterial orthopedic implants. A civil…
Spinal cord stimulation by University of Pittsburgh researchers effectively reduces phantom limb pain and restores sensation in amputees, marking a significant advance in prosthetic technology….
Guiding cells to natural target region key to functional recovery. In a new study in mice, a team of researchers from the University of California,…
Scientists at .NeuroRestore, Switzerland, report in Science that they have developed a gene therapy that was proven in mice to stimulate nerve regrowth across spinal…
A new study suggests that the immune system’s capacity to react to spinal cord injuries declines as one ages, but it also highlights potential strategies…
The absence of sufficient evidence raises doubts about the benefits. According to a recently published Cochrane Review, spinal cord stimulation, a medical technology proposed as…
A promising nerve stimulation therapy has been developed at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, which has shown positive results in animal studies….
A neurotechnology that stimulates the spinal cord instantly improves arm and hand mobility, enabling people affected by moderate to severe stroke to conduct their normal…
A hybrid biomaterial that has been successfully synthesized could be utilized to treat spinal injuries. A unique material developed at the University of Limerick in…
According to recent research, the brainstem and spinal cord play a crucial role in processing touch signals as they travel to the brain. Almost everything we…
Axon growth, regenerative signaling, and synaptic plasticity were all increased by gene activation. Currently, there are no effective therapies for spinal cord damage; physical therapy…
A signaling system involving neurons that are involved in how we comprehend thermal pain has been discovered by a new study. The world has greatly…