Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Studies
The Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry (RHSCIR)
Dr. Henry Ahn leads this long-term nationwide registry study monitoring outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injury across all care stages, from pre-hospitalization to community reintegration. The study aims to build a comprehensive national database to support clinical care, quality improvement, research, and collaboration.
(Praxis Spinal Cord Institute)
Traumatic Incomplete Tetraplegia Without Instability: A Prospective Multicenter Feasibility Study of Outcomes and Prognosis (IN-TWIN)
Dr. Jefferson Wilson leads this prospective international observational study of patients with ASIA D cervical spinal cord injury. The study aims to establish outcome measures—including patient questionnaires and clinical assessments—that effectively capture changes in milder cervical SCI cases, while evaluating the feasibility of these measures to guide optimal management and treatment.
(AO Foundation)
The Canadian-American Spinal Cord Perfusion Pressure and Biomarker Study (CASPER)
Dr. Jefferson Wilson leads this prospective, multicenter study, which includes cervical and thoracic acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients graded ASIA A, B, or C. Within 48 hours of injury, participants receive a lumbar intrathecal catheter for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection and intrathecal pressure (ITP) monitoring. The study aims to:
1. Assess whether maintaining spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP) ≥ 65 mmHg improves neurological recovery, measured by ASIA grade conversion and motor score improvement.
2. Collect and store CSF and blood samples to analyze neurochemical biomarkers for future biomarker research.
