Spinal Cord Injury Lesions

There are many effects and ways to categorize the effects of spinal cord injury (SCI) lesions. For example, there are different syndromes that may stem as a result of an SCI lesion, such as Central Cord Syndrome, Brown-Sequard Syndrome, Anterior Cord Syndrome, Cauda Equina Syndrome, and Conus Medullaris. In order to assess the differing degrees and residual function after SCI, the American Spinal cord Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale is utilized. It ranges from Level A to Level E with Level A being the most severe, indicating a complete SCI and no motor or sensory function in the lowest sacral segment of the spinal cord, and Level E indicates normal sensory and motor function with no spinal cord lesion. Depending on where the lesion occurs, upper and lower motor neuron (U/LMN) signs may be present. UPN originate from the brain and are responsible forsending signals to LMN. LMN are also known as spinal nerves and send the received signals directly to the desired target (e.g. muscle). If an UPN lesion occurs, one may experience spasticity below the level of the lesion and paralysis. On the other hand, one may experience hypotonicity (low muscle tone), muscle atrophy, and partial to no motor reflexes if the LMN is affected. A couple other hallmark conditions associated with SCI include neurogenic shock and autonomic dysreflexia. One may experience neurogenic (or spinal) shock immediately following a SCI leading to a loss of motor pathways, tendon reflexes, autonomic function, as well as causing flaccid paralysis. Neurogenic shock may last for hours, days, or weeks before spinal activity returns. Upon the return of this activity and usually at a SCI at T6 or above, autonomic reflexes return and may result in exaggerated sympathetic reflex responses known as autonomic dysreflexia. Signs associated with this include severe hypertension, profuse sweating, bradycardia, and vasodilation. Autonomic dysreflexia is considered to a clinical emergency that can result in death - when it occurs, it is crucial to immediately stop the individual’s activity, elevate his/her head to avoid excessive blood pressure to the brain, and loosen clothing and other constrictions.

~ Pam ♡

Image retrieved from: https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Spinal-Cord-Injury

The Cure to Alzheimer's

The TED Talk by Samuel Cohen, “Alzheimer’s is not normal aging – and we can cure it,” caught my attention due to its bold title. I chose to watch this in hopes that I could make connections to our neuroscience class as well as apply any learnings as an occupational therapy student and future practitioner. As a major medical epidemic, it is inevitable as a future occupational therapist that I will connect with others diagnosed with this particular condition. However, Cohen states that by the year 2050, the number of people Alzheimer’s will affect compared to present-day will almost quadruple and the chance of developing this disease will be 1 in 2. 

Over a century ago, a medical case kindled the origins of Alzheimer’s disease. From a woman named Auguste’s experience, Dr. Alois Alzheimer discovered plaques and tangles – both contributing components involved in AD. Since then, there has been virtually no progress in the treatment of Alzheimer’s. To this day, it is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide and the only one in this category that is still not preventable, curable, or able to be slowed down in its progression. In this TED Talk, Samuel Cohen argues that there is a cure that could come into existence but cannot be reached due to a lack of awareness, compared to other prevalent medical diagnoses such as cancer and HIV. This has been due to the misunderstanding and belief that the signs and symptomology of Alzheimer’s were merely indicative of someone becoming senile. It was not until the brain of a patient with Alzheimer’s and a brain of one without were compared that there is an observable physical difference between the two.

Cohen revealed for the very first time a new drug that he and his research team had developed which applied to worms at an early age, live a normal, healthy lifespan. He demonstrated this in order to illustrate that Alzheimer’s is a disease we are all able to understand and one day cure. Because we as practitioners are involved in the field of medicine and directly interact with others who may be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it is important to actively educate ourselves and play a key role in raising awareness. Today, there is such a diverse group of people contributing to this goal in order to transform it into a reality, including our very own occupational therapists.

Here is a link to the TED Talk if you would like to know more! https://www.ted.com/talks/samuel_cohen_alzheimer_s_is_not_normal_aging_and_we_can_cure_it/transcript?language=en

~ Pam ♡

Image retrieved from: https://www.williamsburglanding.org/article/10/6/2015/samuel-cohen-alzheimers-not-normal-aging-%E2%80%94-and-we-can-cure-it