I. Results of hemisection of the spinal cord in monkeys

1892 ◽  
Vol 50 (302-307) ◽  
pp. 120-121
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Dorsal Region ◽  
Sensory Disturbances ◽  
Ascending Tracts ◽  
Clarke's Column

While engaged in studying experimentally the connexions of the cells of Clarke’s column with the ascending tracts of the spinal cord in the monkey, I was surprised to find that after hemisection in the lower dorsal region the sensory disturbances produced in no way corresponded with those already obtained by eminent observers.

scholarly journals I. Results of hemisection of the spinal cord in monkeys

1892 ◽  
Vol 183 ◽  
pp. 1-59 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Medical Association ◽  
British Medical Association ◽  
Kind Permission ◽  
Dorsal Region ◽  
Physiological Laboratory ◽  
University College ◽  
Sensory Disturbances ◽  
Ascending Tracts ◽  
Clarke's Column

While engaged in studying experimentally the connections of the cells of Clarke’s column with the ascending tracts of the spinal cord in the Monkey, I was surprised to find that after hemisection in the lower dorsal region, the sensory disturbances produced in no way corresponded with those already obtained by an eminent observer. I was, therefore, led to continue my experiments, with the aid of a grant from the British Medical Association, and by the kind permission of Professor Schäfer I carried them out in the Physiological Laboratory of University College. My thanks are also due to him for much valuable advice and assistance.

Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula: Diagnosis and Treatment

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Setiawan Suroto
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistula ◽  
Vascular Malformation ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistula ◽  
Motor Symptoms ◽  
Elderly Men ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula ◽  
Sensory Disturbances ◽  
Av Fistulas ◽  
Low Rate

Spinal dural arteriovenous (AV) fistulas are the most commonly encountered vascular malformation of the spinal cord and a treatable cause for progressive paraplegia or tetraplegia. They most commonly affected are elderly men and are classically found in the thoracolumbar region.Symptoms gradually progress or decline in a stepwise manner and are commonly associated with pain and sphincter disturbances. Surgical or endovascular disconnection of the fistula has a high success rate with a low rate of morbidity. Motor symptoms are most likely to improve after treatment, followed by sensory disturbances, and lastly sphincter disturbances.

Clinical presentation and prognostic factors of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas: an overview

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. E17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. Fugate ◽  
Giuseppe Lanzino ◽  
Alejandro A. Rabinstein
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Intramedullary Spinal Cord ◽  
Lower Extremity Weakness ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Signal Abnormality ◽  
Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Sensory Disturbances ◽  
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), the most common type of spinal cord vascular malformation, can be a challenge to diagnose and treat promptly. The disorder is rare, and the presenting clinical symptoms and signs are nonspecific and insidious at onset. Spinal dural AVFs preferentially affect middle-aged men, and patients most commonly present with gait abnormality or lower-extremity weakness and sensory disturbances. Symptoms gradually progress or decline in a stepwise manner and are commonly associated with pain and sphincter disturbances. Surgical or endovascular disconnection of the fistula has a high success rate with a low rate of morbidity. Motor symptoms are most likely to improve after treatment, followed by sensory disturbances, and lastly sphincter disturbances. Patients with severe neurological deficits at presentation tend to have worse posttreatment functional outcomes than those with mild or moderate pretreatment disability. However, improvement or stabilization of symptoms is seen in the vast majority of treated patients, and thus treatment is justified even in patients with substantial neurological deficits. The extent of intramedullary spinal cord T2 signal abnormality does not correlate with outcomes and should not be used as a prognostic factor.

scholarly journals Involvement of the Spinal Cord in Mitochondrial Disorders

2018 ◽  
Vol 09 (02) ◽  
pp. 245-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josef Finsterer ◽  
Sinda Zarrouk-Mahjoub
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Spinal Column ◽  
Mitochondrial Disorders ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Spinal Cord Involvement ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Sensory Disturbances ◽  
Sensory Evoked Potentials ◽  
Sensory Evoked

ABSTRACTThis review aims at summarising and discussing the current status concerning the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of spinal cord affection in mitochondrial disorders (MIDs). A literature search using the database Pubmed was carried out by application of appropriate search terms and their combinations. Involvement of the spinal cord in MIDs is more frequent than anticipated. It occurs in specific and non-specific MIDs. Among the specific MIDs it has been most frequently described in LBSL, LS, MERRF, KSS, IOSCA, MIRAS, and PCH and only rarely in MELAS, CPEO, and LHON. Clinically, spinal cord involvement manifests as monoparesis, paraparesis, quadruparesis, sensory disturbances, hypotonia, spasticity, urinary or defecation dysfunction, spinal column deformities, or as transverse syndrome. Diagnosing spinal cord involvement in MIDs requires a thoroughly taken history, clinical exam, and imaging studies. Additionally, transcranial magnetic stimulation, somato-sensory-evoked potentials, and cerebrospinal fluid can be supportive. Treatment is generally not at variance compared to the underlying MID but occasionally surgical stabilisation of the spinal column may be necessary. It is concluded that spinal cord involvement in MIDs is more frequent than anticipated but may be missed if cerebral manifestations prevail. Spinal cord involvement in MIDs may strongly determine the mobility of these patients.

Destructive pathological changes in the rat spinal cord due to chronic mechanical compression

2008 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Xu ◽  
Wei-Ming Gong ◽  
Yao Li ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Kai Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Neuronal Loss ◽  
Cord Compression ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Pathological Changes ◽  
Mechanical Compression ◽  
Lateral Projection ◽  
Compression Device ◽  
Sensory Disturbances ◽  
Characteristic Features

Object Chronic mechanical compression of the spinal cord, which is commonly caused by degeneration of the spine, impairs motor and sensory functions insidiously and progressively. Yet the exact mechanisms of chronic spinal cord compression (SCC) remain to be elucidated. To study the pathophysiology of this condition, the authors developed a simple animal experimental model that reproduced the clinical course of mechanical compression of the spinal cord. Methods A custom-designed compression device was implanted on the exposed spinal cord of female Wistar rats between the T-7 and T-9 vertebrae. A root canal screw attached to a plastic plate was tightened 1 complete turn (1 pitch) every 7 days for 6 weeks. The placement of the compression device and the degree of compression were validated every week using radiography. Furthermore, a motor sensory deficit index was also calculated every week. After 3, 6, 9, or 12 weeks, the compressed T7–9 spinal cords were harvested and examined histologically. Results Lateral projection of the thoracic spine showed a progressively increasing rate of mean spinal cord narrowing in the compression group. Motor and sensory deficiencies were observed from Week 3 onward; paralysis was observed in 2 rats at Week 12. Motor deficiency appeared earlier than sensory deficiency. Obvious pathological changes were observed starting at Week 6. The number of neurons in the gray matter of rats with chronic compression of the spinal cord decreased progressively in the 6- and 9-week compression groups. In the white matter, myelin destruction and loss of axons and glia were noted. The number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL)–positive neurons increased in the ventral-to-dorsal direction. The number of TUNEL-positive cells increased from Week 6 onward and peaked at Week 9. Conclusions This practical model accurately reproduces characteristic features of clinical chronic SCC, including progressive motor and sensory disturbances after a latency and insidious neuronal loss.

scholarly journals Neuropathology of Experimental 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic Acid Toxicosis in Pigs

1986 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 454-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kennedy ◽  
D. A. Rice ◽  
P. F. Cush
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Axonal Degeneration ◽  
Histopathologic Examination ◽  
Dorsal Region ◽  
Dorsal Funiculus ◽  
Lateral Funiculus ◽  
Discrete Area ◽  
Cervical Level ◽  
Peripheral Regions

Twenty pigs were fed a diet containing 187.5 mg kg−1 of 3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid (3-nitro). Ten pigs were euthanized at intervals up to 29 days, 3-nitro was withdrawn from the diet of the remaining pigs on day 30, and these animals were subsequently euthanized at intervals up to 49 days after commencement of the experiment. A nervous syndrome characterized by clonic convulsive episodes inducible by exercise, developed at day 11. Paraparesis was apparent at day 22 progressing to paraplegia by day 33 (3 days after cessation of 3-nitro feeding). Histopathologic examination revealed myelin and axonal degeneration in the white matter of the spinal cord coincident with the onset of nervous signs. Marchi-positive degeneration was present in the dorsal funiculus at cervical level at day 22. Lesions intensified with increasing duration of toxicosis and while degenerate fibers were seen in all funiculi, there was preferential involvement of the fasciculi gracilis and cuneatus, the peripheral regions of the ventral and lateral funiculi, and a discrete area of the dorsal region of the lateral funiculus. Peripheral and optic neuropathies were evident from day 32 but were always mild and focal. The experiment establishes 3-nitro as a central-peripheral neurotoxicant of pigs.

scholarly journals IV. The automatic action of the sphincter ani

1878 ◽  
Vol 26 (179-184) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Levator Ani ◽  
Dorsal Region ◽  
Sacral Plexus ◽  
Reflex Action ◽  
Sacral Nerves ◽  
The Will ◽  
Automatic Action ◽  
Common Character

The observations described in the following paper had for their object the determination of the form of the reflex or automatic action of the sphincter ani of man when voluntary power over it is lost. This reflex action is believed, from the researches of Masius, to depend on an “ano-spinal centre,” situated in the lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord, controlled in health by higher (encephalic) centres. It appears, however, to be very uniform in its character in various conditions, the most conspicuous common character of which is the entire loss of voluntary power. The larger number of observations were made on a man who, by a violent fall on the sacrum, had apparently injured the posterior roots of all the sacral nerves and both roots of the lowest sacral nerves. A de­pression existed over the lower part of the sacrum. Sensibility to touch and pain was lost in all parts supplied by branches from the sacral plexus, the limitation being exact. There was no muscular paralysis or loss of nutrition except in the levator ani, the sphincter ani, and the sphincter vesicse, all of which were paralyzed to the will. The anus and the mucous membrane of the rectum were quite insensitive. There was no evidence of any injury to the spinal cord; with this, indeed, the symptoms were incompatible. It would thus appear that the only lesion was a division of the direct communication between the sphincter and the cord. Other observations were made on two patients with para­plegia, due probably to disease of the dorsal region of the spinal cord, in whom there was reason to believe that the lumbar enlargement of the cord was free from material damage. In each case there was not the slightest voluntary power to retain the contents of the rectum. It was found that in each the condition of the sphincter was essentially the same, and that it was in a state of high reflex activity. The most uniform results were obtained in the case of injury to the sacral nerves. Finally these results were compared with those obtained by the same method when voluntary power was intact.

scholarly journals Evidence for genetically distinct direct and indirect spinocerebellar pathways mediating proprioception

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iliodora V. Pop ◽  
Felipe Espinosa ◽  
Megan Goyal ◽  
Bishakha Mona ◽  
Mark A. Landy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Granule Cells ◽  
Mossy Fiber ◽  
Cerebellar Nuclei ◽  
Reticular Nucleus ◽  
Proprioceptive Information ◽  
Lateral Reticular Nucleus ◽  
Axon Collaterals ◽  
Progenitor Domain ◽  
Clarke's Column

AbstractProprioception, the sense of limb and body position, generates a map of the body that is essential for proper motor control, yet we know little about precisely how neurons in proprioceptive pathways develop and are wired. Proprioceptive and cutaneous information from the periphery is sent to secondary neurons in the spinal cord that integrate and relay this information to the cerebellum either directly or indirectly through the medulla. Defining the anatomy of these direct and indirect pathways is fundamental to understanding how proprioceptive circuits function. Here, we use genetic tools in mice to define the developmental origins and unique anatomical trajectories of these pathways. Developmentally, we find that Clarke’s column (CC) neurons, a major contributor to the direct spinocerebellar pathway, derive from the Neurog1 progenitor domain. By contrast, we find that two of the indirect pathways, the spino-lateral reticular nucleus (spino-LRt) and spino-olivary pathways, are derived from the Atoh1 progenitor domain, despite previous evidence that Atoh1-lineage neurons form the direct pathway. Anatomically, we also find that the mossy fiber terminals of CC neurons diversify extensively with some axons terminating bilaterally in the cerebellar cortex. Intriguingly, we find that CC axons do not send axon collaterals to the medulla or cerebellar nuclei like other mossy fiber sources. Altogether, we conclude that the direct and indirect spinocerebellar pathways derive from distinct progenitor domains in the developing spinal cord and that the proprioceptive information from CC neurons is processed only at the level of granule cells in the cerebellum.Significance StatementWe find that a majority of direct spinocerebellar neurons in mice originate from Clarke’s column (CC), which derives from the Neurog1-lineage, while few originate from Atoh1-lineage neurons as previously thought. Instead, we find that spinal cord Atoh1-lineage neurons form mainly the indirect spino-lateral reticular nucleus and spino-olivary tracts. Moreover, we observe that mossy fiber axon terminals of CC neurons diversify proprioceptive information across granule cells in multiple lobules on both ipsilateral and contralateral sides without sending axon collaterals to the medulla or cerebellar nuclei. Altogether, we define the development and the anatomical projections of direct and indirect pathways to the cerebellum from the spinal cord.

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