Brain Network Alterations in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: Multilayer Community Detection Approach.

Neurological recovery in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) is multifaceted, involving mechanisms such as remyelination and perilesional spinal neuroplasticity, with cortical reorganization being one contributing factor. Cortical reorganization, in particular, can be evaluated through network (graph) analysis of interregional functional connectivity. This study aimed to investigate cortical reorganization patterns in persons with chronic SCI using a multilayer community detection approach on resting-state functional MRI data.

Muscle Mass as a Biomarker for Health Status and Function in Pediatric Individuals with Neuromuscular Disabilities: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aims to investigate the relationship between muscle mass and specific health outcomes in pediatric populations with neuromuscular disorders. A search was performed for any relevant studies published in English from 1996 to 2023 in five databases. To be included in this analysis, articles must have had participants with an average age ≤21, focus on children with neuromuscular disabilities, and primarily examine relationships between muscle mass and any functional or health outcomes measure.

4-Aminopyridine in pediatric traumatic spinal cord injury: A case report.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) presents significant challenges due to its debilitating nature and potential complications. While few medications have shown efficacy in improving neurological recovery, 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP), a voltage-gated potassium channel blocker, has been used clinically off-label to improve neurologic function in adults with spinal cord-related paralysis. However, evidence regarding its safety and effectiveness in the pediatric population remains scarce, as it is approved for use in older patients.

Relationship between employment and quality of life and self-perceived health in people with spinal cord injury: an international comparative study based on the InSCI Community Survey.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Work-related disability is common in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). The aims of this study are to examine the associations of employment with self-perceived health (SPH) and quality of life (QoL) across 22 countries and to explore the covariates around employment and SPH and QoL.

Nerve Transfer Surgery in Acute Flaccid Myelitis: Prognostic Factors, Long-Term Outcomes, Comparison With Natural History.

Background: Nerve transfer surgery is sometimes offered to patients with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). The objectives of this study were to evaluate surgical efficacy, assess which clinical and neurophysiological data are valuable for preoperative planning, and report long-term outcomes.

Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective case series of patients with AFM who received nerve transfer surgery.

Design and Use of a 3D-Printed Dynamic Upper Extremity Orthosis for Children With Cerebral Palsy and Severe Upper Extremity Involvement: A Pilot Study.

Importance: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) and severe hand impairment have limited options for upper extremity (UE) orthoses.

Objective: To (1) design and fabricate a customized low-cost, functional, three-dimensional (3D) printed dynamic upper extremity orthosis (DUEO) and (2) examine, using a comprehensive evaluation, the effect of the orthosis on the UE function of children with unilateral UE CP, Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) Levels III to V.

Design: Pilot study.

Targeting Sarcopenia as an Objective Clinical Outcome in the Care of Children with Spinal Cord-Related Paralysis: A Clinician's View.

Muscle loss is consistently associated with immobility and paralysis and triggers significant metabolic and functional changes. The negative effects of sarcopenia are amplified in children who are in the process of building their muscle mass as part of development. Because muscle mass loss is consistently associated with increased morbidity and mortality throughout life, optimizing the size and health of muscles following a neurologic injury is an objective target for therapeutic interventions.

Using Billing Codes to Create a Pediatric Functional Status e-Score for Children Receiving Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Objective: Provide proof-of-concept for development of a Pediatric Functional Status eScore (PFSeS). Demonstrate that expert clinicians rank billing codes as relevant to patient functional status and identify the domains that codes inform in a way that reliably matches analytical modeling.

Design: Retrospective chart review, modified Delphi, and nominal group techniques.

Bilateral Dega and Varus Derotational Osteotomies for Painful Hip Subluxation in Acute Flaccid Myelitis: A Case Report.

Introduction: Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a recently described diagnosis that primarily impacts the pediatric population. It is characterized by profound proximal muscle weakness with resultant orthopedic manifestations similar to well-known neuromuscular conditions. While the incidence of AFM has been rising, management outcomes are understudied.

Challenges in the Clinical Recognition of Acute Flaccid Myelitis and its Implications.

Objectives: To explore the challenges in diagnosing acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) and evaluate clinical features and treatment paradigms associated with under recognition.

Study Design: This was a retrospective multicenter study of pediatric patients (≤18 years) who were diagnosed with AFM from 2014 to 2018 using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's case definition.

Results: In 72% of the cases (126 of 175), AFM was not considered in the initial differential diagnosis (n = 108; 61.

A Systematic Review of the Scientific Literature for Rehabilitation/Habilitation Among Individuals With Pediatric-Onset Spinal Cord Injury.

Objectives: To conduct a systematic review to examine the scientific literature for rehabilitation/habilitation among individuals with pediatric-onset spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: A literature search of multiple databases (i.e.

Description of Bone Health Changes in a Cohort of Children With Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM).

Objectives: To qualitatively describe bone health changes in children with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) and assess relationships with muscle mass and strength and functional performance.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of 79 children with AFM seen consecutively in one specialized academic center between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2019.

Results: Of the 79 participants who were aged 4 months to 21 years old, 41 (52%) had bone density measured by dual energy absorptiometry (DXA) and 32 of them (78%) were diagnosed with low bone mass (LBM).

Scoliosis in Pediatric Patients With Acute Flaccid Myelitis.

Background: Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is an anterior horn disorder that manifests as rapid onset muscle weakness or paralysis. Development of scoliosis in pediatric AFM patients has been anecdotally reported, but associated risk factors or incidence have yet to be determined.

Methods: Pediatric AFM patients treated over a 10-year period at a tertiary care center were identified.

Evaluation of the International Spinal Cord Injury Bowel Function Basic Data Set Version 2.0 in Children and Youth With Spinal Cord Injury.

Objectives: To establish the utility and feasibility of the International Spinal Cord Injury/Dysfunction (SCI/D) Bowel Function Basic Data Set Version 2.0 in pediatric SCI populations.

Methods: This was a noninterventional, repeated measure design conducted in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, Kentucky, and South Carolina.

Walking improvement in chronic incomplete spinal cord injury with exoskeleton robotic training (WISE): a randomized controlled trial.

Study Design: Clinical trial.

Objective: To demonstrate that a 12-week exoskeleton-based robotic gait training regimen can lead to a clinically meaningful improvement in independent gait speed, in community-dwelling participants with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI).

Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation or research institute.

Neuroscience20 (BRAIN20, SPINE20, and MENTAL20) Health Initiative: A Global Consortium Addressing the Human and Economic Burden of Brain, Spine, and Mental Disorders Through Neurotech Innovations and Policies.

Neurological disorders significantly impact the world's economy due to their often chronic and life-threatening nature afflicting individuals which, in turn, creates a global disease burden. The Group of Twenty (G20) member nations, which represent the largest economies globally, should come together to formulate a plan on how to overcome this burden. The Neuroscience-20 (N20) initiative of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT) is at the vanguard of this global collaboration to comprehensively raise awareness about brain, spine, and mental disorders worldwide.

Use of the Physical Abilities and Mobility Scale (PAMS) in Children Receiving Inpatient Rehabilitation for Spinal Cord Related Paralysis.

Objectives: To investigate the performance of the Physical Abilities and Mobility Scale (PAMS) in children receiving inpatient rehabilitation for paralysis related to spinal cord disease and injury (SCD/SCI).

Methods: Participants were 146 children with paralysis related to SCD/SCI, aged 2-21, admitted between January 2010 and 2017 for inpatient rehabilitation at a single free-standing academically affiliated pediatric rehabilitation hospital. Retrospective chart review was performed to obtain admission and discharge scores on the PAMS and the functional independence measure for children (WeeFIM®), collected as part of clinical care.

Improvements in Function Following Inpatient Activity-Based Therapy for Children With Acute Flaccid Myelitis.

Background: Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is an illness defined by rapid onset of flaccid paralysis in one or more limbs or bulbar muscles, with MRI findings of predominantly spinal cord gray matter abnormalities spanning one or more spinal segments following a viral illness. Individuals with AFM may require rehabilitation to promote recovery. Activity-based restorative therapy (ABRT) has previously been shown to result in positive outcomes in children with neurologic deficits related to AFM.

Acute flaccid myelitis: cause, diagnosis, and management.

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a disabling, polio-like illness mainly affecting children. Outbreaks of AFM have occurred across multiple global regions since 2012, and the disease appears to be caused by non-polio enterovirus infection, posing a major public health challenge. The clinical presentation of flaccid and often profound muscle weakness (which can invoke respiratory failure and other critical complications) can mimic several other acute neurological illnesses.

A Primary Care Provider's Guide to Bone Health in Spinal Cord-Related Paralysis.

Individuals with spinal cord injury/disorder (SCI/D) are at high risk for developing secondary osteoporosis. Bone loss after neurologic injury is multifactorial and is dependent on the time from and extent of neurologic injury. Most bone loss occurs in the first year after complete motor paralysis, and fractures occur most commonly in the distal femur and proximal tibia (paraplegic fracture).

Effects of a combined transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and cognitive training intervention in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction: This clinical trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of a 6-week course of daily neuroAD™ therapy.

Methods: 131 subjects between 60 and 90 years old, unmedicated for Alzheimer's disease (AD), or on stable doses of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and/or memantine, with Mini-Mental State Examination scores between 18 and 26, clinical dementia rating scale scores of 1 or 2, enrolled for a prospective, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, multicenter clinical trial. Structural brain MRIs were obtained for transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting.

The International Spinal Cord Injury Pediatric Activity and Participation Basic Data Set.

Study Design: International focus groups.

Objectives: The objective of this project was to develop the International Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Pediatric Activity and Participation (A&P) Basic Data Set.

Methods: A focus group of experts in pediatric and adult SCI, and contributors of the existing adult International SCI Adult A&P Basic Data Set convened to develop an initial draft of the data set, which was iteratively refined over a 12 month period based on relevant literature and existing outcome measures that evaluate pediatric activity and participation.