New Study Using fMRI Scans Sheds Light on Spinal Cord Function

fMRI scans reveal spinal cord function.The spinal cord is a vital part of the body, transmitting information back and forth between the various limbs and the brain. It’s only a centimeter and half in diameter, but its importance in the human body is huge. Proper spinal cord function is essential for health and wellbeing. Physicians and scientists have researched and studied for years to gain an understanding of the workings of the spinal cord. However, until recently, they couldn’t watch the spinal cord function in real time. Instead, they relied on animal studies.

All that changed with the advent of fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) technology. A team of Italian and Swiss researchers collaborated to come up with a protocol to observe the spinal cords of 19 healthy study participants. Each participant spent about 10 minutes lying still in a fMRI machine, which took scans for the team of scientists.

fMRI Scans Show Spinal Cord Function in Real Time

The researchers worked out a way to separate the workings of the spinal cord from other bodily functions, like breathing and heartbeat. The result is that the team was able to map the signals of the spinal cords of the study participants in four dimensions. Meaning, through space and time. They now have a much more nuanced view of how the spinal cord works and how it manages communication throughout the body.

Scientists are excited about the possibilities of fMRI and the findings of the study. They hope that they will develop a deeper understanding of spinal cord function. In turn, this will help them come up with better ways to help people recover from spinal cord injuries. They are also working on ways to use fMRI to diagnose spinal cord injuries. The detailed view of fMRI scans will help doctors decide on better treatment plans. They may be able to see into the individual pathways in the spinal cord and prescribe highly targeted remedies.

Contact Precision Medical Group if You Need EMG/NCS Testing

This is very exciting news, even if it is in the first stages. While we wait for fMRI technology to be widely available, we’ll keep doing our best with EMG/NCS testing here at Precision Medical Group. Please call our office to set up an appointment time if you experience nerve pain.

 

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