Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
09:22
In Vivo Telemetry to Record Long-Term Cardiovascular Parameters, Temperature, and Activity in Spinal Cord Injury Rat Models
Published on: January 2, 2026
The Effects of High-Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury on the Heart Transcriptome.
Mary P M Fossey1,2,3, Brian Hayes1, Erin Erskine1,3
1International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Journal of Neurotrauma
|June 18, 2026
Summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes distinct, time-dependent changes in heart gene expression and function. These molecular shifts, particularly involving immune and metabolic pathways, correlate with developing cardiac dysfunction after injury.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- High-level spinal cord injury (SCI) is linked to heart disease.
- Molecular changes in the heart post-SCI are poorly understood.
- Temporal patterns of cardiac response to SCI are unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate temporal molecular changes in the heart after SCI.
- Correlate gene expression with cardiac function.
- Identify pathways linked to cardiac decline post-SCI.
Main Methods:
- Bulk RNA sequencing of rat left ventricle tissue.
- In vivo cardiac function assessment using pressure-volume loops.
- Comparison of acute (1-3 days) and chronic (12 weeks) SCI with sham controls.
Main Results:
- SCI induces time-dependent cardiac gene expression changes.
- Acute SCI suppresses immune/inflammatory pathways; chronic SCI upregulates them.
- Cardiac systolic dysfunction occurs early and persists, correlating with specific gene expression patterns.
Conclusions:
- SCI significantly alters cardiac transcriptome temporally.
- Distinct molecular signatures characterize acute and chronic SCI hearts.
- Identified molecular pathways correlate with SCI-induced cardiac dysfunction.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:14Spinal 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...
01:25Secondary 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...
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
01:26Spinal Cord
The spinal cord, a critical component of the central nervous system, extends from the base of the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It is essential for maintaining physical stability and facilitating communication between the brain and peripheral parts of the body.
01:15Thoracic Aorta
The thoracic section of the aorta begins at the T5 vertebra and extends to the T12 level at the diaphragm, initially progressing through the mediastinum to the left of the spinal column. Throughout its course in the thoracic segment, the thoracic aorta emits various offshoots known collectively as visceral and parietal branches. The branches that predominantly supply blood to visceral organs are termed visceral branches and include bronchial, pericardial, esophageal, and mediastinal arteries,...
01:16Spinal Cord: Cross-sectional Anatomy
The cross-sectional anatomy of the spinal cord offers a detailed view of its complex structure and function within the central nervous system. At the core of the spinal cord lies the gray matter, characterized by its butterfly or "H"-shaped appearance in cross-section. This central region is enveloped by white matter, with the overall structure divided into symmetrical halves by the dorsal median sulcus and the ventral median fissure.
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...
Gray Matter and its Components
Central to the gray matter is...