SCI Science Perspectives

The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) brings you SCI Science Perspectives. The podcast is built around two-part dialogues with spinal cord injury (SCI) professionals regarding their emerging scientific work spanning the full spectrum of SCI research, from discovery to clinical application. The SCI Science Perspectives podcast disseminates the latest-and-greatest scientific work in the SCI field via a conversation with researchers that approaches their work from two perspectives: the “scholarly” perspective and the “community” perspective. The process begins with ASIA’s Committees informing the podcast about new and influential scientific papers relevant to the committee’s interests. Then the podcast host(s) then interview the author(s) of the papers, approaching their project from each perspective. Finally, the conversation from each perspective is published as its own episode type: "Scholarly" and "Community" episodes. Keep an eye out too for "Admin" episodes too, communicating administrative information relevant to ASIA members and stakeholders.

Community EP049 - Early Delivery of a Drug Against Nogo-A with Dr. Norbert Weidner

Join us this episode for a conversation with Norbert Weidner, MD, Professor and Chair of the Spinal Cord Injury Center at Heidelberg University Hospital. In this conversation we discuss results of a clinical trial called the Neuroimmunophilin Nogo-A Antibody in Spinal Cord Injury (NISCI) trial. Findings from this trial were published in a paper titled "Safety and efficacy of intrathecal antibodies to Nogo-A in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial" in the journal Lancet Neurology. In this paper Weidner and the NISCI team discuss the top-line findings from this large multi-center clinical trial where a drug (with antibodies against Nogo-A, a protein found in the walls of spinal cord neurons and their support cells) were given to people early after their accident. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Weidner gives an insider perspective on the NISCI trial, and trust you will enjoy our conversation on new pharmaology in the acute phase of SCI.

08-28
25:36

Scholarly EP048 - the Neuroimmunophilin Nogo-A Antibody in Spinal Cord Injury (NISCI) trial with Dr. Norbert Weidner

Join us this episode for a conversation with Norbert Weidner, MD, Professor and Chair of the Spinal Cord Injury Center at Heidelberg University Hospital. In this conversation we discuss results of the Neuroimmunophilin Nogo-A Antibody in Spinal Cord Injury (NISCI) trial, published in a paper titled "Safety and efficacy of intrathecal antibodies to Nogo-A in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial" in the journal Lancet Neurology. In this paper Weidner and their NISCI team discuss the top-line findings from a large multi-center clinical trial where antibodies against Nogo-A were administered to the spinal space early after acquired SCI. We invite you to listen in as Dr. Weidner gives an insider perspective on the NISCI trial, and trust you will enjoy our conversation on intrathecal drug delivery in the acute phase of SCI.

08-28
28:36

Combined EP047 - Lived-Experience Neurotech Development with Jen French and Ian Burkhart

Join us in this episode for a conversation with Jen French and Ian Burkhart, leaders of neurotech development movements and users of implanted neurological devices. Our guests share briefly about their experience with implanted devices, and then the conversation zooms in on exciting recently developments in implantable brain-computer interface (iBCI) and electrical simulation options such as epidural spinal cord stimulation (eSCS). Having been through the process, Jen and Ian deliberate on the importance and steps in engaging people with the lived-experience of paralysis in the development of meaningful clinical outcome assessments for clinical trials. Safety and aversion to electing for implantation are also discussed. We hope you enjoy this episode with Jen French and Ian Burkhart on these exciting neurological technologies and the role of lived-experience in neurotech now and in the future.

05-30
49:04

Community EP046 - Argentinian Gait Rehabilitation with Dr. Terson de Paleville and Mr. Marcelo Gatti

Join us this episode for a conversation with Daniela Terson de Paleville, PhD, professor of Physiology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and Marcelo Gatti, PT, director of neurorehabilitation in the area of spinal cord injury at Fleni Institute Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In this conversation we discuss the paper titled "Gait recovery in patients with late assessment of incomplete spinal cord injury: A retrospective study in Argentina" published in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. In this paper Terson de Paleville and Gatti discuss the current state of neurorehabilitation targeting recovery of walking after incomplete spinal cord injury at the Fleni Institute in particular and Argentina more broadly. We invite you to listen in as Terson de Paleville and Gatti connect Latin America to ASIA both in their science and in our discussion, and trust you will enjoy our multi-lingual conversation on Argentinian gait rehabilitation.

05-09
23:01

Scholarly EP045 - Argentinian Gait Rehabilitation with Dr. Terson de Paleville and Mr. Marcelo Gatti

Join us this episode for a conversation with Daniela Terson de Paleville, PhD, professor of Physiology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and Marcelo Gatti, PT, director of neurorehabilitation in the area of spinal cord injury at Fleni Institute Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In this conversation we discuss the paper titled "Gait recovery in patients with late assessment of incomplete spinal cord injury: A retrospective study in Argentina" published in The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. In this paper Terson de Paleville and Gatti discuss the current state of neurorehabilitation targeting recovery of gait after incomplete spinal cord injury at the Fleni Institute in particular and Argentina more broadly. We invite you to listen in as Terson de Paleville and Gatti connect Latin America to ASIA both in their science and in our discussion, and trust you will enjoy our multi-lingual conversation on Argentinian gait rehabilitation.

05-09
22:25

Combined EP044 - Unite 2 Fight Paralysis (U2FP) and their Cure Advocacy Network (CAN)

Join us in this episode for a conversation with Matthew Rodreick, Executive Director of Unite 2 Fight Paralysis (U2FP). Matt offers a concise perspective on U2FP, including reflection on interaction between U2FP and ASIA. The thrust of the conversation then moves to the timely topic of state-level funding, with Matt running through success stories from U2FP's Cure Advocacy Network (CAN) and sharing his insider perspective on setting up state funding for spinal cord injury (SCI) research. We hope you enjoy this episode with Matt on the the past, present, and future of U2FP with a unique eye for a novel funding source.

04-08
36:17

Community EP043 - Mapping Trunk Control and Rehabilitation with Dr. Bharad Nandakumar

Join us this episode for a conversation with Bharadwaj "Bharad" Nandakumar, PhD, of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, for a conversation about the paper titled "Exercise therapy guides cortical reorganization after midthoracic spinal contusion to enhance control of lower thoracic muscles, supporting functional recovery" published in the journal Experimental Neurology. In this paper Dr. Nandakumar and his team leverage the proven power of somatotopic mapping to examine the less explored area of brain-trunk circuits and the effect that exercise has on recovery of neurological control of the trunk after spinal cord injury. We trust you will enjoy our conversation with Dr. Nandakumar on the important yet often overlooked topic of trunk control and rehabilitation.

02-25
23:49

Scholarly EP042 - Mapping Trunk Control and Rehabilitation with Dr. Bharad Nandakumar

Join us this episode for a conversation with Bharadwaj "Bharad" Nandakumar, PhD, of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, for a conversation about the paper titled "Exercise therapy guides cortical reorganization after midthoracic spinal contusion to enhance control of lower thoracic muscles, supporting functional recovery" published in the journal Experimental Neurology. In this paper Dr. Nandakumar and his team leverage the proven power of somatotopic mapping to examine the less explored area of brain-trunk circuits and the effect that exercise has on recovery of neurological control of the trunk after spinal cord injury. We trust you will enjoy our conversation with Dr. Nandakumar on the important yet often overlooked topic of trunk control and rehabilitation.

02-25
30:50

Community EP041 - Launching Non-Invasive Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation with Dr. Jim Guest

Join us this episode for a conversation with Dr. James D. Guest, MD, PhD, of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, for a conversation about the paper titled "Non-invasive spinal cord electrical stimulation for arm and hand function in chronic tetraplegia: a safety and efficacy trial" published in the journal Nature Medicine. This paper is the culmination of commercialization efforts to bring to market a noninvasive ("transcutaneous ") electrical spinal cord simulator for the purpose of recover of upper extremity motor strength. We trust you will enjoy our conversation with Dr. Guest, who was a site-Principal Investigator (PI) for the Up-LIFT trial sponsored by Onward Medical Inc., in the timely wake of the exciting FDA approval of the now-titled ARC-EX® device that was studied in this pivotal clinical trial.

01-28
23:58

Scholarly EP040 - Pivotal Transcutaneous Electrical Spinal Cord Stimulation with Dr. Jim Guest

Join us this episode for a conversation with Dr. James D. Guest, MD, PhD, of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, for a conversation about the paper titled "Non-invasive spinal cord electrical stimulation for arm and hand function in chronic tetraplegia: a safety and efficacy trial" published in the journal Nature Medicine. This paper is the culmination of commercialization efforts to bring to market a transcutaneous ("noninvasive") electrical spinal cord simulator for the purpose of recover of upper extremity motor strength. We trust you will enjoy our conversation with Dr. Guest, who was a site-Principal Investigator (PI) for the Up-LIFT trial sponsored by Onward Medical Inc., in the timely wake of the exciting FDA approval of the now-titled ARC-EX® device that was studied in this pivotal clinical trial.

01-28
29:23

Community EP039 - Bringing People Living with SCI into the Medical Classroom with Drs. Ona Bloom and Adam Stein

Join us for the episode for a conversation with Drs. Ona Bloom and Adam Stein on the topic of including people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the education of medical students. In this conversation we discuss the paper titled "Experiences and recommendations from people with spinal cord injury following participation in a disability education session at an allopathic medical school: a qualitative study" published in the journal Spinal Cord Series and Cases. We hope you enjoy this exploration of the important topic of incorporating people living with SCI in medical education, with Drs. Ona Bloom and Adam Stein.

11-01
29:14

Scholarly EP038 - Bringing People Living with SCI into the Medical Classroom with Drs. Ona Bloom and Adam Stein

Join us for the episode for a conversation with Drs. Ona Bloom and Adam Stein on the topic of including people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) in the medical education (MD) curriculum. In this conversation we discuss the paper titled "Experiences and recommendations from people with spinal cord injury following participation in a disability education session at an allopathic medical school: a qualitative study" published in the journal Spinal Cord Series and Cases. We hope you enjoy this exploration of the important topic of lived-experience consultation in medical education, with Drs. Ona Bloom and Adam Stein.

11-01
33:52

Administrative EP037 - The 2024 Annual Meeting

Join us in this episode for throwback to conversations from the 2024 American Spinal Injury Association annual scientific meeting in Puerto Rico. Along with a presidential handoff from Suzanne Groah, MD, to Susan Charlifue, PhD—the first time in ASIA's history that an acting female president has handed the torch to an incoming female president—we chat with some of the winners of awards in both poster and oral formatted presentations. We hope you enjoy this episode as we remember the 2024 annual meeting and usher in a new president.

10-11
01:01:58

Community EP036 - Staying Up To Date on the Neurological Exam with Dr. Rudiger Rupp

The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) founded and now develops the International Standards for the Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) exam, more commonly known as the "ASIA exam." This exam, which assigns a level and "completeness" of SCI, is the most common neurological exam performed in those with SCI. The most recent updates included the addition of zone of partial preservation (ZPP) and a "non-SCI taxonomy" (listen in to learn what that means 😁). We hope you enjoy this this deep dive on the most recent update to the ISNCSCI, with Dr. Rudiger Rupp.

09-02
31:32

Scholarly EP035 - Staying Up To Date on the ISNCSCI with Dr. Rudiger Rupp

The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) institutionalized, and now stewards, the International Standards for the Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) exam, the most ubiquitous neurological exam performed for spinal cord injury (SCI). Join us in this episode with Dr. Rudiger Rupp for a deep dive on the most recent update to the ISNCSCI, headed by ASIA's International Standards Committee chaired by Dr. Rupp. We hope you enjoy this zoom into the zone of partial preservation (ZPP) and non-SCI taxonomy, with Dr. Rudiger Rupp.

09-02
30:27

Scholarly EP033 - Motherhood after SCI with Dr. Allison Kessler

Join us in this episode for a conversation with Allison Kessler, MD, MSc on the topic of motherhood after spinal cord injury (SCI). In this conversation, Dr. Kessler discusses two recent publications that apply to the topic of motherhood after SCI: the peer-reviewed Motherhood after Spinal Cord Injury: Breastfeeding, Autonomic Dysreflexia, and Psychosocial Health: Clinical Practice Guidelines, and the corresponding "consumer guideline Breastfeeding Following SCI: A Consumer Guide for Mothers. We hope you enjoy this exploration of the important topic of mothering after SCI, with Dr. Allison Kessler.

08-16
23:55

Community EP034 - Motherhood after SCI with Dr. Allison Kessler

Join us in this episode for a conversation with Allison Kessler, MD, MSc on the topic of motherhood after spinal cord injury (SCI). In this conversation, Dr. Kessler discusses two recent publications that apply to the topic of motherhood after SCI: the peer-reviewed Motherhood after Spinal Cord Injury: Breastfeeding, Autonomic Dysreflexia, and Psychosocial Health: Clinical Practice Guidelines, and the corresponding "consumer guideline Breastfeeding Following SCI: A Consumer Guide for Mothers. We hope you enjoy this exploration of the important topic of mothering after SCI, with Dr. Allison Kessler.

08-16
22:03

Community EP032 - The Time is Now for Nontraumatic SCI

Join us in this episode for a panel conversation on nontraumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) with Alexandra Bennewith, MPA, Keara McNair, OTR/L, BCPR, ATP, Kristen Walden, BS, Ron Reeves, MD, and Stephen Burns, MD. Paralysis due to problem in the spinal cord come can come from many causes, and historically an emphasis has been placed on traumatic—like from an impact—SCI. As put forth by this panel of nontraumatic experts selected by ASIA's Education Committee, the time has come to integrate nontraumatic SCI into the existing networks of standardized reporting. The panelists discuss expert consensus, best practices, and future directions for classifying and tracking outcomes as to deliver better care for people living nontraumatic SCI. We hope you enjoy this episode as we usher in an era in the union of SCI regardless of cause.

05-22
56:38

Scholarly EP031 - The Time Is Now for Nontraumatic SCI

Join us in this episode for a panel conversation on expert consensus, best practices, and future directions for classifying and tracking outcomes for people living with nontraumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) with Alexandra Bennewith, MPA, Keara McNair, OTR/L, BCPR, ATP, Kristen Walden, BS, Ron Reeves, MD, and Stephen Burns, MD. Disorders of the spinal cord come in many forms, and when categorizing based on cause there has historically been an emphasis placed on traumatic—e.g., from an impact—SCI. As put forth by this panel of nontraumatic experts selected by ASIA's Education Committee, the time has come to integrate nontraumatic SCI into the existing networks of standardized reporting. We hope you enjoy this episode as we usher in an era in the union of SCI across etiology.

05-22
36:52

Community EP030 - Spasticity and Early Motor Recovery after SCI with Dr. Sina Sangari

Join us this episode for a conversation with Dr. Sina Sangari of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for a conversation about the paper titled "Spasticity Predicts Motor Recovery for Patients with Subacute Motor Complete Spinal Cord Injury" published in the journal Annals of Neurology. Regardless of the functional implications of spasms, Dr. Sangari and his colleagues explain the predictive value that spasticity, early after an acquired spinal cord injury, can have in predicting recovery of volitional motor function. We hope you enjoy this scholarly episode that offers a fresh take on the classic topic of spasticity.

03-08
30:30

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