Actue Spinal Cord Injury (ASCI)

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in modern society. Injuries result in significant and permanent neurologic deficits, and the functional consequences can be devastating. These changes translate into loss of muscle function, sensation, or autonomic function in parts of the body served by the spinal cord below the level of the lesion. Injuries can occur at any level of the spinal cord and can be classified as complete injury, a total loss of sensation and muscle function, or incomplete, meaning some nervous signals are able to travel past the injured area of the cord. 

Animal model for traumatic spinal cord injury by Allen's weight dropping, which might be helpful for further research on the mechanism of SCI. Research into new treatments for spinal cord injuries includes stem cell implantation, engineered materials for tissue support, and wearable robotic exoskeletons.