The following three opportunities are available for NYC area people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) from the researchers at the James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs National Center of Excellence on the Medical Consequences of SCI in the Bronx, NY.
Brief Description of Ongoing Research Programs/Investigations:
- Along with the many other medical problems that are known to occur in persons with SCI, gastrointestinal (GI) function may also be disturbed. Without normal nervous system control of the gut, stomach emptying, the movement of food through the bowel, and stool evacuation may become disrupted, requiring constant attention, care, and intervention. As a direct result of abnormal GI function, individuals with SCI often fail to benefit from basic bowel screening procedures, such as colonoscopy. Quality of life is often reduced due to problems with constipation, as well as the time and effort required for routine bowel care. The physician-investigators at the Center of Excellence for the Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury are not only studying the effects of SCI on GI function, but they are also developing innovative methods of reversing the adverse effects of SCI on the GI tract, with the very real hope of improving bowel function that will permit a better lifestyle.
For more information, please contact:
Robert E. Williams III, M.S.
Research Coordinator
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Center of Excellence for the Medical Consequences of SCI
James J. Peters Medical Center
130 W. Kingsbridge Rd., Room 1E-02
Bronx, NY 10468
phone: (718) 584-9000 ext. 3130
fax: (718) 741-4675
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- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death in spinal cord injury (SCI). Conventional risk factors for CHD include high serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), low serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), diabetes mellitus (DM), smoking history, and a sedentary lifestyle. In those with SCI compared to able-bodied individuals, low serum HDL cholesterol values have been reported, as well as increased prevalence in impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and DM , which are associated with an increased risk for CHD. Individuals with tetraplegia are found to have a decrease in whole-body transport of glucose due to the proportional reduction in muscle mass. Atherosclerosis appears to have an inflammatory component. Inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) have been shown to contribute to CHD. Elevated high sensitivity CRP levels have been shown to be predictive of myocardial infarction, stroke, and the development of DM and hypertension. The purpose of this ongoing investigation is to compare the risk of CHD in those with SCI with able-bodied controls. This information will allow researchers to determine if persons with SCI are at a heightened risk of CHD so they can prescribe appropriate interventions that can decrease the risk of heart attack. To be considered for participation in the study patients must be 18 to 70 years of age and at least 6-months from the date of SCI. All interested persons will go through a screening process that looks at additional exclusion criteria in order to participate.
For more information on this study, please contact:
Racine Emmons, M.A.
Research Coordinator
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Center of Excellence for the Medical Consequences of SCI
James J. Peters Medical Center
130 W. Kingsbridge Rd., Room 1E-02
Bronx, NY 10468
phone: (718) 584-9000 ext. 5426
fax: (718) 741-4675
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- Spinal cord injury (SCI) at the cervical or high thoracic cord cause expiratory muscle weakness, which is associated with ineffective cough, mucus retention, and mucus plugging. Ineffective cough, rather than inadequate ventilation, is the major cause of pneumonia and other respiratory complications among patients with SCI. Reduced measures of pulmonary function have been shown to correlate directly with impaired cough strength in SCI. To achieve ventilation, work needs to be performed to overcome resistances within the lungs and chest wall. Generated energy is mostly used to overcome elastic resistance of the lungs , therefore, increasing the pressure-generating capacity of the inspiratory and expiratory muscles and potentially improving cough in persons with tetraplegia and high paraplegia could improve cough effectiveness, decrease work of breathing, reduce atelectasis, and possibly reduce the incidence of pneumonia. The purpose of this study is to determine in persons with tetraplegia and high paraplegia if a commonly used asthma medication improves inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength and cough effectiveness. To be considered for participation in the study patients must be 18 to 70 years of age, spinal cord injury of at least one year post injury (all ASIA levels), and neurologically and medically stable. All interested persons will go through a screening process that looks at additional exclusion criteria in order to participate.
For more information on this study please contact the please contact:
Michael LaFountaine, M.S.
Research Coordinator
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
National Center of Excellence for the Medical Consequences of SCI
James J. Peters Medical Center
130 W. Kingsbridge Rd., Room 1E-02
Bronx, NY 10468
phone: (718) 584-9000 ext. 3121
fax: (718) 741-4675
