2004 Directors' Summary Synopsis

QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS

In addition to paralysis, people with SCI contend with many ongoing medical issues that have a profound impact on quality of life. Miami Project researchers are interested in learning about the mechanisms that cause and influence these various medical complications. With a better understanding, scientists hope to design treatment strategies that are tailored to these complications.

Pain
Continuing research in the laboratory of Dr. Eva Widerstrom-Noga is helping to characterize the various types of pain associated with SCI. In ongoing analysis of data collected from postal surveys, Dr. Widerstrom-Noga and her colleagues concluded there appears to be a relationship between chronic pain and autonomic dysreflexia. They also have been conducting research to gain a better understanding of factors that aggravate pain after SCI.

In the basic science laboratories, Drs. Jacqueline Sagen and Mary Eaton continue their efforts to design new treatment strategies. Their previous research in animals has shown that by implanting adrenal gland-derived cells onto the spinal cord, symptoms of chronic pain can be alleviated. In a recent study by Dr. Sagen and colleagues, they sought to enhance the pain relieving effect of adrenal medullary cell transplants by injecting a drug that stimulated specific receptors on the adrenal cell surface. With the activation of these specific receptors, they found the pain relieving effects of the transplanted cells were enhanced. This year, Dr. Eaton also established a relationship with French scientists and is collaborating with them to create human chromaffin cell lines for cell therapy for pain.

Male Fertility
Dr. Nancy Brackett in the Male Fertility Laboratory continues studies to uncover the reasons for the poor sperm motility in men with SCI. A series of studies by Dr. Brackett and her colleagues has shown a higher than normal concentration of activated immune system cells in the semen. Last year, they confirmed the presence of these immune system cells and believed that poor motility may be due to cytokines that are secreted by these immune system cells. This year, Dr. Brackett’s studies have confirmed the presence of increased concentrations of various cytokines. Now that specific cytokines have been identified, Dr. Brackett is moving forward in designing a treatment to inactivate the cytokines. The results of these studies have provided a significant step in solving the mystery of decreased sperm motility in men with SCI and should soon lead to laboratory treatments to improve sperm motility in men with SCI.

Sexual Function
Until recently, little was known about the role of the nervous system in the control of sexual function in women with SCI. Research in the laboratory of Drs. Marca Sipki and Craig Alexander has revealed how degree and level of injury impact arousal and orgasm. In continuing research this year, they explored the use of sympathetic nervous system stimulation to see if it is beneficial to augment sexual arousal in women with SCI. In addition, they will begin testing the efficacy of clitoral vacuum stimulation verses vibratory stimulation in improving orgasmic function in women with SCIs. They will also be studying women with spinal multiple sclerosis to see if they experience similar effects in their sexual function compared to women with SCI.