A first step to cure weakened immune system of SCI victims

In the event of a vehicular accident, a resident from New Haven, Connecticut, may sustain serious injuries that may have long-term effect.

Among those injuries is a spinal cord injury. If an accident victim sustains a spinal cord injury, the person may lose a great deal of physical function. In fact,the majority of people with spinal cord injuries become paralyzed and have bladder issues. Spinal cord injury can also compromise the person’s immune system, making the person vulnerable to infections.

The reason behind the victim’s diminished immune system is unknown. However, recent research has concluded that an illness called autonomic dysreflexia, which is a possibly perilous complication of spinal cord injury, often develops in people with spinal cord injuries. Its effect, which is amplified activation of spinal autonomic reflexes, can suppress the victim’s immune system. It can also cause an eruption of extreme high blood pressure that can cause a stroke, pulmonary embolism and death.

To resolve this issue, researchers have conducted an experiment on spinal cord injured mice. They were able to fix the immune function of the mice by using medicines that slow down glucocorticoids and norepinephrine, immune modulatory hormones that are produced during AD. Researchers also discovered evidence that their findings in mice are relevant to humans.

For spinal cord injury victims in New Haven, Connecticut, these are promising results. However, this study is still in its initial stage and researchers need to spend more time gathering data on how this study can be applied to human spinal cord injury victims. For now, spinal cord injury victims still need to depend on current technologies. Currently, long-term medical care and rehabilitation of spinal cord injuries are generally expensive.

To be able to cope with the financial burden, spinal cord injury victims in New Haven, Connecticut, may wish to file a lawsuit against the negligent party. The person may consider consulting a legal professional to help file the lawsuit. With the help of the legal professional, the spinal cord injury victim will learn about the available options, have their interests protected and receive compensation for the damages they sustained.

Source: Science20.com, “Immune Function In Spinal Injured Mice Restored,” Aug, 6, 2013