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Project

Multidimensional translational study to improve the diagnostic workup in adult acquired spinal cord injury secondary to degenerative changes of the cervical spine.

Adult non-traumatic spinal cord injury is caused by an acquired and progressive stenosis of the cervical spinal canal with chronic compression of the spinal cord. The most common cause is a degenerative process named degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). This disease is being diagnosed with increasing prevalence because of the aging population. To date, various biomarkers of spinal cord tissue damage by chronic compression have been investigated, but without comparison in terms of efficacy and ease of use in daily practice. The goal of this research project is to improve the diagnostic work-up in the patient with DCM for a more personalized approach and better functional outcome. To this end, we will perform a prospective study in DCM patients that are being treated surgically in which a multimodal assessment is performed at 3 time points. We aim to identify predictive factors and patient subpopulations that are related with disease progression and outcomes after surgery. Furthermore, a preclinical study to make a timeline of the histological evolution and to link the biomarkers to histological changes will be done in an established rat model of DCM. The results of the animal study will be integrated in an improved model for pathogenesis of the disease.

Date:1 Oct 2021 →  Today
Keywords:Acquired spinal cord injury, Degenerative cervical myelopathy, Biomarkers
Disciplines:Neurosurgery, Diagnostic radiology, Histology, Neurophysiology
Project type:PhD project