Serotonergic Modulation of Motor Function in Subacute and Chronic SCI
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2019-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The manifestation of weakness and involuntary reflexes following motor incomplete spinal cord
injury (SCI) may be partly a result of damage to descending pathways to the spinal cord that
release serotonin. In models of SCI, for example, application of agents that simulate
serotonin has been shown to modulate voluntary motor behaviors, including augmentation of
walking recovery. In humans following neurological injury, the effects of 5HT agents are
unclear. Few previous reports indicate improved motor function following administration of
agents which enhance the available serotonin in the brain, although some data suggests that
decreased serotonin may be beneficial. In this application, the investigators propose to
study the effects of clinically used agents that increase or decrease intrinsic serotonin
activity in the brain on strength and walking ability following human motor incomplete SCI.
Using detailed electrophysiological recordings, and biomechanical and behavioral measures,
the investigators will determine the effects of acute or chronic doses of these drugs on
voluntary and involuntary motor behaviors during static and dynamic conditions. The novelty
of this proposed research is the expectation that agents that enhance serotonin activity may
increase abnormal reflexes in SCI, but simultaneously facilitate motor and walking recovery.
Despite potential improvements in voluntary function, the use of pharmacological agents that
may enhance spastic motor behaviors following SCI is in marked contrast to the way in which
drugs are typically used in the clinical setting.
Phase:
Phase 1
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Shirley Ryan AbilityLab