Corticospinal Function After Spinal Cord Injury

About this trial

This trial is recruiting individuals with cervical (neck area) spinal cord injuries to study nerve recovery in a spinal cord area called the corticospinal tract, important for upper and lower-limb motor function. There are two parts to the study (participants can enter one or both). The first part will measure electrical signals in the brain and the spinal cord. This allows the investigators to draw maps of the specific nerves activated when upper limb muscles are used. The study will focus on the movements and brain signals required for reaching and grasping. The second part will assess physical training of the upper limbs combined with a non-invasive brain stimulation (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, TMS). This involves 15 sessions. Participants will randomly be put in a group that either receives TMS and arm/hand training, or placebo (inactive) stimulation with arm/hand training. The focus will be on reach and grasp movements because of their importance in daily life activities.