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Updated: Jan 8, 2026
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Investigating Functional Regeneration in Organotypic Spinal Cord Co-cultures Grown on Multi-electrode Arrays
Published on: September 23, 2015
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The Relationship Between Age and Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury: A Longitudinal Cohort Study.
Chiara Pavese1,2, Giorgio Scivoletto3, Mariangela Puci4
1Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Italy.
Neurology
|December 22, 2025
Summary
Older age does not impact neurologic recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI), but it is linked to poorer functional outcomes and ambulation. A cutoff age of 70 years shows reduced functional recovery in SCI patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) incidence is increasing in elderly populations.
- The impact of age on SCI recovery outcomes is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between age and neurologic/functional recovery after SCI.
- To identify an age threshold associated with diminished recovery post-SCI.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 2,171 SCI patients (2001-2022).
- Linear regression models analyzed age effects on International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) and Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) scores.
- Change-point models identified age cutoffs for recovery decline.
Main Results:
- Age did not affect neurologic recovery (Total Motor Score: p=0.896).
- Older age correlated with reduced functional recovery (SCIM: p<0.001) and ambulation (p<0.01).
- Patients over 70 years showed a noticeable decline in functional recovery.
Conclusions:
- Older age is associated with poorer functional and ambulation outcomes post-SCI, not neurologic recovery.
- Findings suggest age-specific considerations for SCI clinical trials and patient care strategies.
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