HUMAN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Christine K. Thomas, PhD

Most scientists agree that we must understand the intricate pathology of human spinal cord injury in order to design therapies directed at these specific pathologies. This study provides information about the changes in nerve and muscle components after injury, and leads to questions about whether the spontaneous activity seen in some muscles could in some way be useful. Dr. Christine Thomas found spontaneous movements in the thenar muscle, the muscle that controls thumb movement, in people with cervical injuries. These movements were either sporadic, like a twitch, or tonic with constant tension. Since the muscles are not quiet, are their movements usable? Can this activity be used for coordinated movement, or are they detrimental? Do they make the muscles weak? The study’s results suggest that the muscle activity is generated from nerves that are connected to the muscles but have lost their input from the spinal cord. Dr. Thomas’ studies help to increase the understanding of the intricate physiology of nerve - muscle connections after SCI and may be important in determining how connections to these muscles could be re-established.