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Methods to Quantify Pharmacologically Induced Alterations in Motor Function in Human Incomplete SCI
Published on: April 18, 2011
Promising pharmacological agents in the management of acute spinal cord injury
1Department of Pharmacy, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract:
The search for a pharmacologic treatment of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) dates back to the 1960s. It was not until 1990 that the pharmacologic agent methylprednisolone demonstrated improved outcomes in humans. Methylprednisolone has shown superiority to placebo in humans in two large, multicenter trials, and is the standard of care thus far. Other potentially useful agents include tirilazad, ganglioside (GM-1), and naloxone. Additional studies are needed for these agents to determine the optimal dose and timing of administration.

