Clinical Effect of Leuprolide Acetate, an Agonist of GnRH, on Sensitive and Motor Function in a Patient With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

The spinal cord is the major conduct through which sensory and motor signals pass between brain and body. Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a disruption of these pathways and dramatic functional losses. There are different experimental approaches to counteracting the effects of SCI, such as the use of neurotrophic factors. It has been demonstrated that GnRH and its agonist leuprolide acetate (LA) have neurotrophic properties in SCI experimental model animals. Here, we report our findings from a patient suffering chronic SCI, who had undergone treatment with LA therapy. Treatment consisted of intramuscular injection of LA each month during 12 months. An important improvement in sensitive and motor functions was seen in the patient after treatment with LA. Further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanism of action of LA in SCI patients. J Neurol Res. 2016;6(5-6):111-113 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jnr403w