Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

09:49
Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: January 20, 2023
[Neurologic disabilities after road traffic accidents]
1Médecine physique et réadaptation, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, 92380 Garches. bernard.bussel@rpc.aphp.fr
Bulletin De L'Academie Nationale De Medecine
|July 21, 2012
Summary
Car accidents cause central nervous system damage, affecting mobility or cognition. Advances in understanding spinal cord and brain injuries improve patient outcomes and management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Traumatology
Context:
- Motor vehicle accidents are a significant cause of central nervous system (CNS) injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI) primarily result in locomotor and bladder dysfunction.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) commonly lead to cognitive impairments.
Purpose:
- To review recent advancements in the management of CNS injuries.
- To highlight the impact of improved understanding of injury mechanisms on therapeutic strategies.
- To discuss the evolving approaches to treating locomotor disability and cognitive deficits.
Summary:
- Recent progress in understanding spinal cord injury mechanisms has led to new therapeutic solutions, reducing mortality and morbidity associated with locomotor and bladder dysfunction.
- Cognitive impairments following traumatic brain injury are now better characterized, leading to more efficient management strategies.
- Changes in the management of locomotor disability are driven by economic factors, philosophical shifts, and scientific progress.
Impact:
- Improved therapeutic interventions for spinal cord injury patients, leading to better functional recovery and reduced complications.
- Enhanced clinical management protocols for cognitive deficits post-TBI, improving patient quality of life.
- Significant reductions in mortality and morbidity associated with CNS injuries due to advancements in treatment and understanding.
Related Concept Videos
Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology
Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...

