Student Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-16-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Language

English

First Advisor

Dr. Jean-Phillippe Berteau

Second Advisor

Dr. Zaghoul Ahmed

Third Advisor

Dr. Maria Knikou

Abstract

Individuals with spinal cord injury often present with severe neuromuscular spasticity due to over-secretion of the neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Spasticity is made worse by the other sequelae of SCI, including muscle atrophy and loss of bone mineral density. This manuscript presents a study protocol that attempts to target such widespread physiological changes affecting multiple body systems. Our protocol establishes a potential treatment approach for SCI by combining recent advances in literature with a novel approach never seen before. We hypothesize

that the use of the already-promising anodal trans-spinal direct current stimulation (A- TSDCS) along with exogenous administration of a naturally occurring biomolecule called

uncarboxylated osteocalcin, will reduce spasticity, increase muscle mass and restore or maintain bone mineral density. We expect these changes to be more pronounced when compared to those expected with the individual treatment approaches. Our manuscript delineates a comprehensive experimental design, as supported by similar study setups in related research, which will help achieve these aims.

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