Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cognitive Deficits in the Brain of Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

NCT06309888 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2023-18
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 54
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In the case of spinal cord injury, rehabilitation is particularly focused on motor skills. Non-motor impairments such as thinking difficulties did not receive a lot of attention to date. In this research project, the investigators want to find out how thinking difficulties become noticeable in the brain with spinal cord injury. Participation procedure: Participants who take part will be asked to come to an examination once. The duration of the examination is between 2 and 2.5 hours (including around 55 minutes in the magnetic resonance imaging scanner, including preparation and follow-up).

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injury

Keywords

spinal cord injury; neuroimaging; cognition; executive functions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Brain activity

  Brain activity defined as changes in oxygen levels in the blood during the execution of cognitive tasks on cognitive inhibition and verbal fluency (executive functions), and at rest

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (13)

• Behavioral performance

  Baseline

• Behavioral performance

  Baseline

• Behavioral performance

  Baseline

• Behavioral performance

  Baseline

• Behavioral performance

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

spinal cord injury

Individuals living with a spinal cord injury

non spinal cord injury

able-bodied individuals

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Individuals with SCI and healthy controls will be recruited for the study considering age-matching.

You may qualify if:

• Male or Female
• Age between 18 and 60
• German native speaker
• Normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity
• A diagnosis of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI)
• Time since injury 12 months or longer
• American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A, B, C and D

You may not qualify if:

• Contraindication for magnetic resonance imaging examinations (e.g., cardiac pacemaker etc.)
• Pregnancy
• Diagnosis of other psychiatric or neurological disorders (including tumor in the central nervous system)
• Alcohol and/or drug abuse
• Confirmed diagnosis of traumatic brain injury
• Insufficient hand function (not able to hold a pen due to the restricted motor abilities)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil: lead

Study Sites (1)

Swiss Paraplegic Research

Nottwil, Canton of Lucerne, 6207, Switzerland

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Spinal Cord Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Spinal Cord Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Trauma, Nervous System; Wounds and Injuries

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: NETWORK
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 26, 2024
• First Posted: March 13, 2024
• Study Start: February 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: November 18, 2024
• Study Completion: November 18, 2024
• Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CH (1)