Neurological Recovery Assessment
Objective: Assess whether a delay in decompression influences the extent of ischemia-reperfusion injury and alters the trajectory of neurological outcome in degenerative cervical myelopathy using a DCM mouse model
Protocol Steps
Early Decompression Group
Perform surgical decompression early in the disease course
Note: Early decompression led to resolution of reperfusion-mediated inflammation, neurological improvement, and reduced hyperalgesia
View evidence from paper
“early decompression led to resolution of reperfusion-mediated inflammation, neurological improvement, and reduced hyperalgesia”
Delayed Decompression Group
Perform surgical decompression after a delay in the disease course
Note: Delayed decompression was associated with exacerbated reperfusion injury, astrogliosis, and poorer neurological recovery
View evidence from paper
“Delayed decompression was associated with exacerbated reperfusion injury, astrogliosis, and poorer neurological recovery”
Measure Inflammatory Cytokine Levels
Assess levels of inflammatory cytokines within the spinal cord following decompression
Note: Decompression acutely led to a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in levels of inflammatory cytokines within the spinal cord
View evidence from paper
“decompression acutely led to a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in levels of inflammatory cytokines within the spinal cord”
Assess Neurological Recovery
Evaluate neurological improvement in early versus delayed decompression groups
Note: Early decompression associated with neurological improvement; delayed decompression with poorer neurological recovery
View evidence from paper
“early decompression led to resolution of reperfusion-mediated inflammation, neurological improvement, and reduced hyperalgesia”
Evaluate Hyperalgesia
Assess pain sensitivity and hyperalgesia in both treatment groups
Note: Early decompression resulted in reduced hyperalgesia
View evidence from paper
“early decompression led to resolution of reperfusion-mediated inflammation, neurological improvement, and reduced hyperalgesia”
Measure Peripheral Monocytic Inflammatory Response
Assess peripheral monocytic inflammatory response in both groups
Note: Delayed decompression associated with exacerbated peripheral monocytic inflammatory response (P < 0.01 and 0.001)
View evidence from paper
“delayed decompression was associated with prolonged elevation of inflammatory cytokines and an exacerbated peripheral monocytic inflammatory response ( P < 0.01 and 0.001)”
Assess Astrogliosis and Microglia Activation
Evaluate astrogliosis and microglia activation in spinal cord tissue
Note: Delayed decompression associated with exacerbated astrogliosis; delayed surgical decompression associated with ongoing microglia activation
View evidence from paper
“Delayed decompression was associated with exacerbated reperfusion injury, astrogliosis, and poorer neurological recovery”