Poikilothermia, Weather or Not

Playing Scrabble to pass a cold January evening?  
Here’s a word to pick up at least 25 points: poikilothermia (that’s 3+1+1+5+1+1+1+1+4+1+1+3+1+1).  

The first half comes from the Greek word ποικίλος (-η, -ον; poikilos).  Among other things, it means “various,” “changeable,” or “manifold.”  Related to the Greek θερμός (-ή, -όν; thermos), the second half means “hot” or “warm.”  Put the two parts together and you have a reference to variable body temperature, a medical issue often to be associated with spinal cord injury.  

Poikilothermia is one of the lesser-known side effects of a disruption to the nervous system and its signals.  Essentially, it’s the inability to regulate your own body temperature.  Depending on the level and severity of a spinal cord injury, it can mean that your body may not be able to sweat and cool down on a warm day.  On the other end of the scale, piling on blankets in front of a heater might not be enough to combat chilly weather.  Poor regulation of body temperature is no laughing matter, since a serious case may potentially lead to hypothermia or hyperthermia.  It also can be unpredictable and isn’t always linked to the reading on the thermometer!

People have different ways of fighting poikilothermia.  A quick search brings up a lot of ideas, but here are some tips.

For another Scrabble tip, convert the word to poikilothermic.  

About Spinal Cord Injuries

What is a spinal cord injury?  Here are some basic statistics and background information on what a SCI looks like and where it occurs.  Take a look at this article's image of the intricate nervous system.  An injury to the spinal cord affects much more than most people think!

Update on Christmas Cards for Andrew

To those of you who sent Christmas cards to Andrew Little (see my post for Dec. 17): he received over 50,000 cards!  Thank you for making a positive difference in the life of this young boy and his family!

Merry Christmas - Looking Beyond 2016

2016 has brought many developments in SCI research.  This brief editorial describes one of the latest: a study in which paralyzed monkeys were able to walk again.  Some interfacing methods are more controversial and invasive than others.  But it is true - recovery doesn't have to be in the realm of science fiction.

As to science fiction, exoskeletons and bionic frames have long been a part of imaginary worlds.  They don't have to stay there, either.  Hyundai made headlines this week for exoskeleton designs.  In 2015, Honda started selling smaller exoskeleton legs and assistive devices to rehabilitation centers and hospitals.  A later post will take a look at the Rewalk, Ekso, and similar designs.

Christmas Cards for Andrew

Please make a young boy’s life brighter this Christmas!  A Dayton Daily News report indicates that eight-year-old Andrew, who suffers from a paralyzing condition and lives in a special care facility, loves to receive mail.  His grandmother has put out a call for Christmas cards.  Can you help?  

Mail a card to:

Andrew Little

4181 Weathered Oaks Lane

Hamilton, OH 45011

"Back" to the Basics

Walking backwards is actually a very healthy way to promote muscle in general.  I originally walked backwards with heavy bracing to begin taking steps again.  Because it involves different muscle groups, moving backwards was easier at first, and helped with beginning to go forward.  This video is a return to that idea - but no braces except for ankle supports!

Walking backwards - no orthotics!

VR and the Mind's "I"

Brain Machine Interface and VR  

Regaining Movement after SCI

This latest research on virtual reality in therapy is good news for the prospects of movement-based VR rehabilitation.  It should also be a reminder that no simple narrative defines a spinal cord injury.  The brain can be retrained.  What about rebuilding neural pathway remnants or building new paths altogether?  

Neuroscientist Miguel Nicolelis, senior researcher, also led the project that organized the World Cup’s 2014 kick-off - by a paraplegic in an exoskeleton.  Read more about that here: Kicking Off the World Cup 

More articles for the curious:

SCI and a Robo-Suit?  

How It Works