Function In Spinal Cord Injury Research Articles

Alterations of neuroendocrine functions in spinal cord injury

A transverse myelopathy causes a marked dysfunction in the negative feedback of some of the hypothalamohypophyseal-target organ axes. Spinal cord injured (SCI) humans with lesions above T 6 exhibit significantly lower serum LH and testosterone but not FSH. The parathyroid hormone-thyrocalcitonin regulation of bone metabolism is disturbed; the higher the lesion, the greater is the loss of mineral and matrix components of the bone. Further, the response to insulin induced hypoglycemia is blunted in SCI with high lesions, and their basal levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and cortisol are significantly lower than those of controls. Distension of the bladder or rectum, however, produces marked release of norepiniphrine and concomitant increase in sympathetic activity. The results suggest impaired hypothalamo-hypophyseal-testicular, -adrenocortical, -adrenomedulary, -sympathetic axis dysfunction.

Rehabilitation professionals and sexual counseling for spinal cord injured adults.

The Michigan Rehabilitation Association (M.R.A.) and the Program in Human Sexuality of the University of Minnesota collaborated to produce a 1-day seminar on sexual function in spinal cord injury. Evaluation of the participants and the seminar showed that the program was beneficial for most and harmful for few. Questionnaire responses indicated that few M.R.A. members are currently doing sexual counseling but many see an opportunity to do so. A relationship appeared between those who have received some form of training in sexual counseling and those who are doing counseling with clients. It is postulated that frank and sincere discussion of sexuality may improve rapport between client and counselor. However, before such an interaction can comfortably take place, the counselor may gain from an opportunity to examine his or her own attitudes toward human sexuality and gather more information about the sexuality of physically disabled adults.