Current Research Activities

Research of the RSCICDV

General Overview of Clinical Research

Clinical Research Studies

Basic Research

Basic Research Overview

Research Publications by Center Staff

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1. Title: A Randomized Trial of Locomotor Training for SCI (A study to improve walking after spinal cord injury)

Study the effects of Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training in acute incomplete spinal cord injury

Purpose: This project is designed to determine the effects of body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on recovery of walking ability after traumatic incomplete spinal cord injury.

Principal Investigator: John F. Ditunno, MD
Co-Investigator(s): Michael F. Saulino, MD, PhD

2. Title: Open-label extension of double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study to evaluate safety, tolerability and activity of oral Famipridine-SR in subjects with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury.(An extension study to evaluate the safety of oral fampridine-SR in persons with chronic spinal cord injury)

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the continued effects of Fampridine-SR on bodily functions such as spasticity, bladder control, bowel function and sexual function in people who have participated in a study using either Fampridine-SR or placebo in the past. The study will also examine the possible long-term risks of taking Fampridine-SR.

Principal Investigator: Ralph J. Marino, MD
Co-Investigator(s): Ramadevi Swaminath, MD,Bryan J. O’Neill, MD

3. Title: Physiologic measures of improvement following SCI Interventions, a Basic Science Research Project

Purpose: The primary goal of this research project is to investigate changes in lower motor neuron physiology following thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Principal Investigator: Anthony S. Burns, MD
Co-Investigator(s): Alan R. Tessler, MD

4. Title: Restoration of walking after spinal cord injury – validation of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI 1) scale for hierarchial ranking – Experiment 1.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether the WISCI scale is valid and responsive to change in a clinical population of individuals during recovery from spinal cord injury and will follow a hierarchial ranking validated by experts in SCI. Also, to determine whether changes in lower extremity muscle strength correlates with the progression of walking recovery measured on the 20 level WISCI scale.

Principal Investigator: John F. Ditunno, MD
Co-Investigator(s): Anthony S. Burns, MD

5. Title: Restoration of Walking After Spinal Cord Injury. An experiment to Determine Whether a Disability Measure can be Developed by Incorporating Elements of Distance, Speed, and Endurance into the Appropriate Levels of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury Experiment 2.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop a disability measure for walking by incorporating elements of distance, speed and endurance into the appropriate levels of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISIC) scale.

Principal Investigator: John F. Ditunno, MD
Co-Investigator(s): Anthony S. Burns, MD

6. Title: Restoration of Walking After Spinal Cord Injury – Demonstrate the WISCI scale is more responsive to change than other outcome measures in the demonstration of efficacy of interventions such as physical training in clinical trials – Experiment 3.

Purpose: The purpose of this trial is to determine whether the WISCI scale is more responsive to change than other outcome measures in the demonstration of efficacy of interventions such as physical training in clinical trials.

Principal Investigator: John F. Ditunno, MD
Co-Investigator(s): Michael F. Saulino, MD, PhD

7. Title: Restoration of Walking After Spinal Cord Injury – a Consumer Preference for Walking – Experiment 4.

Purpose: To demonstrate consumer preference for restoration of walking function based on the severity of injury, time from injury (acutely injured versus those living with SCI over time) and age of the individual. Also, to compare consumer preferences with clinician preferences.

Principal Investigator: Mary Patrick, R.N.

8. Title: Role of Hand Dominance in Recovery from Cervical SCI

Purpose: To determine the relationship between hand dominance and motor recovery in incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI).

Principal Investigator: Anthony S. Burns, MD

9. Title: Predictive Value of Light Touch in patients with initial motor complete and sensory incomplete SCI

Purpose: To determine whether the pinprick test could be used as a prognostic indicator in persons with motor complete and sensory incomplete spinal cord injury.

Principal Investigator: Anthony S. Burns, MD

10. Title: A multi-site, open label study to evaluate 250mg oral Neotrofin BID in patients with subacute complete spinal cord injury over 12 weeks.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the experimental medication Neotrofin in patients with subacute complete spinal cord injury.

Principal Investigator: Anthony S. Burns. MD

11. Title: A Phase I/IIa Dose-Ranging Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of BA-210 and the Neurological Status of Patients Following Administration of a Single Extradural Application of Cethrin® During Surgery for Acute Thoracic and Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

Purpose: The primary goal of this study is to determine the safety and tolerability of BA-210 when administered in conjunction with fibrin sealant to the dura mater of the spinal cord during surgery. A second goal is to determine if BA-210 improves neurological function.

Principal Investigator: James S. Harrop, MD
Co-Investigator(s): Ashwini D. Sharan, MD, Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD, Ralph J. Marino, MD

12. Title: A Phase II, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of HP184 at 100, 200, and 400 mg Doses Administered Orally Once Daily for Twenty-Four Weeks in Adult Subjects with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury (CSCI).

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of HP184 as compared to placebo on improvements of muscle strength in subjects with motor incomplete spinal cord injury. The study will also help us determine the safety and tolerability of HP184 when administered for 24 weeks in subjects with chronic spinal cord injury as well as the effect of HP184 on the walking function and spasticity.

Principal Investigator: Ralph J. Marino, MD
Co-Investigator(s): Anthony S. Burns, MD

13. Title: Peripheral Denervation Following Spinal Cord Injury

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of special MRI techniques to study how healthy the nerves are in the paralyzed muscles below a spinal cord injury. Also, to identify which muscles are abnormal and how severely the nerves are affected. The information obtained will be important to know in order to maximize the beneficial effects of future treatments.

Principal Investigator: Anthony S. Burns, MD
Co-Investigator(s): Ralph J. Marino, MD

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