I’m consistently amazed by all the new methods that one day may cure (or hey, partially cure. Beggars can’t be choosers) spinal cord injuries. From the blue dye in M&M’s to embryonic stem cells, I’m no longer surprised at the latest stream of "holy grails" in the field SCI research. Meh. It’s hard to surprise me though (am I really getting that old?).
Most recently Lexapro, an antidepressant I think one of my ex-boyfriends used to take, has been used to help people with spinal cord injuries walk again. It aids in the therapy by stimulating muscle spasms in the legs, which the base ingredient in the drug - Seratonin - is responsible for. Yes, they really are saying that the chemical in our brain that makes us happy also triggers muscle spasms. Is that why that kid I used to hang out with growing up used to jump up and down whenever he got really excited?
So anyways, after taking the drug the participants used robot-assisted treadmills (the participants all had incomplete injuries, which means they already had some leg movement to begin with). Using the treadmill helped re-train their leg muscles to move in the correct way needed to walk (muscles retain memory, but after a spinal injury a kick in the butt is sometimes needed). And for people with very incomplete spinal cord injuries (where a number of nerves are still connected in the spinal cord) they can commonly make use of their leg spasms, and can go from being unable to walk to walking, all by trigging their spasms.
I know. This “walking on sunsh…er spasms” thing is weird. But again, beggars can’t be choosers. If I have to pop a dozen Lexapro and strap myself to a robot to walk again, you better believe this hell-on-wheels blonde will do it.
So let's get this straight: The Lexapro is inducing leg spasms, which aids in the treadmill training, which is the last step in helping people with SCI (specifically incompletes) walk again.
Did you get all that?
- Secondary Condition: Spasticity
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
- New Approach to Repairing Spinal Cord Injury
