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Biomedicines
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Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
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Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurobiology and Clinical Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 3138

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Hatice Kumru

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institut Guttmann, Badalona, Spain
Interests: neuromodulation; neuroplasticity; neurology; neurorehabilitation; spinal cord
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xabier Urra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
Interests: stroke; immunology; neuroimaging; acute ischemic stroke

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Brain and spinal cord injuries are devastating conditions that can lead to serious long-term disability or even death. Understanding the mechanisms behind these injuries and developing effective therapeutic strategies is crucial to improving outcomes for affected individuals. These injuries involve complex primary and secondary injury mechanisms that require multifaceted therapeutic strategies. Advances in surgical techniques, pharmacotherapy, rehabilitation, and experimental treatments hold promise for improving the quality of life of those affected. Ongoing research into innovative therapies such as neuroprotectants, stem cells, gene therapy, invasive and non-invasive neuromodulation techniques, and biomaterials continues to provide hope for more effective treatments in the future.

Dr. Hatice Kumru
Dr. Xabier Urra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • brain injury
  • spinal cord injury
  • stem cells
  • gene therapy
  • neuromodulation techniques

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 1828 KB  
Article
Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation Modulates Spinal Reflex Circuit Excitability in Persons with Spinal Cord Injury
by Evan B. Sandler, Jennifer Ann Iddings, Karen Minassian and Edelle C. Field-Fote
Biomedicines 2025, 13(9), 2195; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13092195 - 8 Sep 2025
Viewed by 316
Abstract
Background: Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) is a noninvasive stimulation approach to modulate spinal reflex circuit excitability after spinal cord injury (SCI) Posterior root muscle (PRM) reflexes can be used to characterize the change in excitability of spinal reflex circuits after TSS; these [...] Read more.
Background: Transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) is a noninvasive stimulation approach to modulate spinal reflex circuit excitability after spinal cord injury (SCI) Posterior root muscle (PRM) reflexes can be used to characterize the change in excitability of spinal reflex circuits after TSS; these responses are likely influenced by stimulus parameters. Methods: We compared PRM reflex responses to 3 TSS conditions: single-site continuous (SS-CONT), single-site burst (SS-BURST), and dual-site continuous (DS-CONT). Stimulation (frequency: 50 Hz, intensity: 80% soleus reflex threshold[RT]) was delivered for 30 min. The cathode was placed over the thoracic spine (T11–T12) and anodes placed paraumbilically; a second cathode over the lumbar spine (L1/2 or L2/3) was used for DS-CONT. PRM reflex responses in the soleus were elicited by paired 1 ms monophasic conditioning–test stimuli at a 50 ms interstimulus interval via the T11–12 cathode and paraumbilical anodes. Soleus PRM reflex indices included RT, response amplitude at 1.2xRT (RA1.2xRT), slope, area under the input–output curve (AUC). Paired-pulse indices were collected, including paired-pulse depression (PPD) and depression of the area under the curve (AUCdep). To assess the correlation between biomechanical and electrophysiologic measures of soleus spasticity, the ankle clonus drop test first drop excursion (FDE) was measured. All indices were measured at baseline and immediately post-intervention. Results: In whole-group analyses, PPD and AUCdep were significantly decreased. Significant decreases in PPD and AUCdep were identified only after the SS-CONT condition. No significant changes were identified in other PRM reflex indices after any of the 3 TSS conditions. No relationships between baseline FDE and any PRM reflex parameter were identified at baseline. Conclusions: With stimulation intensity of 80% soleus RT, modulation of targeted spinal reflex circuits was observed only in the SS-CONT condition when the response of the conditioning and test stimuli were considered. In addition, stretch-induced spasticity of the soleus may not be consistent with electrophysiologic testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury)
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15 pages, 579 KB  
Article
Performance of the Baseline Sport Concussion Assessment Tool in Male and Female Spanish Amateur Rugby Players
by Cristian Solís-Mencía, Juan José Ramos-Álvarez, José Luis Maté-Muñoz, Juan José Montoya-Miñano, Laura Martín, Pablo García-Horcajo, Carlota Requeno-Conde, Elena Oliva-Iglesias, Luis De Sousa-De Sousa and Pablo García-Fernández
Biomedicines 2025, 13(2), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13020419 - 10 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1608
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) is a test used to screen for suspected concussions, with the results compared to baseline values. If current baseline values are unavailable, they can be compared to baseline values obtained from professional rugby players. The [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) is a test used to screen for suspected concussions, with the results compared to baseline values. If current baseline values are unavailable, they can be compared to baseline values obtained from professional rugby players. The aim of this study was to evaluate the baseline SCAT values in Hispanic community rugby players of both sexes. This cohort study used an observational, prospective, and descriptive design. Methods: Participants: A total of 81 female (age: 23.3 ± 3.3 years) and 138 male (age: 23.7 ± 4.3 years) Spanish rugby players who participated in national-level competitions. Interventions (or assessment of risk factors of independent variables): The SCAT was administered as part of the pre-season medical testing, including symptoms endorsed, cognitive submode performance, and balance performance. Results: Most of the Spanish community rugby players presented some symptom in the SCAT (male = 75.4%; female = 91.4%). The number and severity of the symptoms reported by the male players were lower than those reported by the female players (p = 0.001). The time to complete the tandem gait test and balance test showed differences between sexes (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The baseline SCAT values of Spanish community rugby players differ from those of professional players, leading to the recommendation of conducting the SCAT for all players before the beginning of the season. If baseline evaluations cannot be performed, the results obtained could serve as a basis for developing reference values for community rugby in the Hispanic population. Recording the menstrual cycle phase during which the SCAT is performed may help improve its interpretation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury)
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Review

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21 pages, 674 KB  
Review
What Is New in Spinal Cord Injury Management: A Narrative Review on the Emerging Role of Nanotechnology
by Loredana Raciti, Gianfranco Raciti and Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
Biomedicines 2025, 13(9), 2176; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13092176 - 5 Sep 2025
Viewed by 453
Abstract
Traumatic injuries to the brain and spinal cord remain among the most challenging conditions in clinical neuroscience due to the complexity of repair mechanisms and the limited regenerative capacity of neural tissues. Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative field, offering precise diagnostic tools, [...] Read more.
Traumatic injuries to the brain and spinal cord remain among the most challenging conditions in clinical neuroscience due to the complexity of repair mechanisms and the limited regenerative capacity of neural tissues. Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative field, offering precise diagnostic tools, targeted therapeutic delivery systems, and advanced scaffolding platforms that are capable of overcoming the biological barriers to regeneration. This review summarizes the recent advances in nanoscale diagnostic markers, functionalized nanoparticles for drug delivery, and nanostructured scaffolds designed to modulate the injured microenvironment and support axonal regrowth and remyelination. Emerging evidence indicates that nanotechnology enables real-time, minimally invasive detection of inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular damage, while improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing systemic side effects through targeted delivery. Electroconductive scaffolds and hybrid strategies that integrate electrical stimulation, gene therapy, and artificial intelligence further expand opportunities for personalized neuroregeneration. Despite these advances, significant challenges remain, including long-term safety, immune compatibility, the scalability of large-scale production, and translational barriers, such as small sample sizes, heterogeneous preclinical models, and limited follow-up in existing studies. Addressing these issues will be critical to realize the full potential of nanotechnology in traumatic brain and spinal cord injury and to accelerate the transition from promising preclinical findings to effective clinical therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies of Brain and Spinal Cord Injury)
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