Nagoya University · Medicine
Professor Shiro Imagama's research lab focuses on spinal cord injury repair, with a particular emphasis on extracellular matrix components such as chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate proteoglycans in neural plasticity and functional recovery. The lab investigates the pathophysiology of post-laminectomy complications like C5 palsy, examining anatomical and radiological risk factors through clinical and imaging studies. Additionally, the lab explores the interplay between chronic inflammation, sarcopenia, and vascular health in aging populations, linking systemic inflammation to physical function and quality of life. Their work bridges clinical spine surgery with molecular neuroscience and geriatric health.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
We have reviewed 1858 patients who had undergone a cervical laminoplasty and identified 43 (2.3%) who had developed a C5 palsy with a MMT (MRC) grade of 0 to 2 in the deltoid, with or without involvement of the biceps, but with no loss of muscular strength in any other muscles. The clinical features and radiological findings of patients with (group P; 43 patients) and without (group C; 100 patients) C5 palsy were compared. CT scanning of group P revealed a significant narrowing of the interverte
We have reviewed 1858 patients who had undergone a cervical laminoplasty and identified 43 (2.3%) who had developed a C5 palsy with a MMT (MRC) grade of 0 to 2 in the deltoid, with or without involvement of the biceps, but with no loss of muscular strength in any other muscles. The clinical features and radiological findings of patients with (group P; 43 patients) and without (group C; 100 patients) C5 palsy were compared. CT scanning of group P revealed a significant narrowing of the interverte
QOL of middle-aged and elderly subjects was related to sagittal balance and physical ability. Thus, exercises for spine, muscle, and physical ability may improve QOL in middle-aged and elderly people.
Chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycans are strong inhibitors of structural rearrangement after injuries of the adult CNS. In addition to CS chains, keratan sulfate (KS) chains are also covalently attached to some proteoglycans. CS and KS sometimes share the same core protein, but exist as independent sugar chains. However, the biological significance of KS remains elusive. Here, we addressed the question of whether KS is involved in plasticity after spinal cord injury. Keratanase II (K-II) speci
LS risk test is easy and useful screening tool for evaluation of mobility and for screening for pain and complaint associated with activity of daily living and QOL.
Community-dwelling people with sarcopenia had higher levels of hs-CRP and a higher risk for arteriosclerosis. The serum level of hs-CRP was an independent risk factor for sarcopenia and was associated with physical function. These findings indicate that chronic inflammation may relate arteriosclerosis and sarcopenia simultaneously.
This study is the first to show that lumbar kyphosis, poor sagittal balance; increased number of oral drugs taken per day, and decreased back muscle strength are important risk factors for the development of GERD symptoms. Thus, orthopedic surgeons and physicians should pay attention to GERD in elderly patients with spinal deformity.
The authors' results showed that a Type C classification and a bone defect have strong relationships with severity of symptoms and surgical outcome and are important imaging and clinical features for ISCH. These findings may allow surgeons to determine the severity of preoperative symptoms and the probable surgical outcome from imaging.
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