Pharmacological Agents for Chronic Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

The purpose of this study is to investigate the short-term effects of 3 approved FDA drugs (cyproheptadine (CPH), carbidopa-levodopa (CD-LD), and atomoxetine (ATX)) on motor responses when delivered in combination with hand training exercises in people with chronic spinal cord injury. The goal is to learn how to better strengthen connections between the brain and spinal cord after spinal cord injury, and if this connection is improved by one(or more) of the drugs. Multiple aspects of nerve transmission and muscle response will be measured via noninvasive brain and spinal cord stimulation, along with motor performance (dexterity and strength).

Research will take place at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center (JJPVAMC), Bronx, NY. There are seven visits in total, including an initial evaluation and clinical assessment session. Each visit will last roughly 5 hours or less. We plan to enroll 28 participants with spinal cord injury over a two-year period.

The study is designed as a double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose, randomized crossover investigation involving four study drug visits (CPH, CD-LD, ATX, or placebo).

The same participants will partake in all four interventions in randomized order with at least 1-week washout representative of greater than 5x drug half-life; to avoid accumulative effects. To reduce potential learning effects from motor training and task-related outcome measurements, participants will partake in two motor training practice sessions prior to commencing the experiments for task familiarity.

This study will consist of electromyography (surface recordings of muscle activity), peripheral nerve stimulation, transcranial magnetic brain stimulation (TMS), and transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (TSCS), targeting the hand/arm muscles.

Though it is unlikely given the single-dose nature, participants may experience side effects following drug administration. Prior to consenting, all volunteers will undergo a comprehensive pre-screening evaluation including blood tests to ensure there are no contraindications.

Please note, there is no expectation of long-term benefit from this study.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female between 18 and 65 years of age; clinically stable chronic (\> 12 months) SCI at or above C8 spinal segment;
* Motor-incomplete with a score of 2 or more (out of 5) on manual muscle testing (MMT) of finger extension, finger flexion, or finger abduction in left or right hand(s); or able to perform thumb-index finger pinch of the left or right hand;
* Detectable stimulation-evoked muscle responses of the left or right first dorsal interosseous (FDI) and/or abductor pollicis brevis (APB); Detectable FDI/APB surface electromyography (EMG) muscle activity during thumb-index finger pinch;
* Must have stable: medication \[≥ 30 days prior\]; rehabilitation regimen \[≥ 15 days prior\];
* Must be able to: abstain from alcohol, smoking and caffeine consumption on the day prior/of each experiment; abstain from recreational drugs for the entirety of the study; commit to study requirements (i.e., 7 visits); provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of moderate or severe head trauma (loss of consciousness for greater than one hour or evidence of brain contusion or hemorrhage or depressed skull fracture on prior imaging);
* History of other serious central or peripheral neurological injury;
* History of implanted brain/spine/nerve stimulators, aneurysm clips, ferromagnetic metallic implants in the head (except inside mouth); cochlear implants; cardiac pacemaker/defibrillator; intracardiac lines; currently increased intracranial pressure; or other contraindications to brain stimulation or task performance;
* Ventilator dependence or patent tracheostomy site;
* Unstable syrinx, or multiple spinal cord lesions;
* Unclear diagnosis; History of stroke, brain tumor, brain abscess, or multiple sclerosis;
* Personal history of seizures; extensive family history of seizures; use of medications that lower seizure threshold (e.g., amphetamines, dalfampridine, and bupropion);
* Use of the study medications; Use of medications known to have significant adverse interactions with the study medication as described in the manufacturers' prescribing information \[14 days prior\]; previous allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to study drug(s);
* Presence of a medical condition that represents a risk for study drug(s) administration; evidence of liver disease or clinical jaundice; neutropenia; glaucoma; gastrointestinal ulcer(s); active malignancy; undiagnosed skin lesions; autoimmune disorders; chronic infectious diseases (e.g. HIV, hepatitis B or C); pregnancy or nursing mothers (a pregnancy urine test may be warranted); neurologic disorders (including a history of serious head trauma or seizures), and uncontrolled cardiovascular, metabolic, pulmonary or renal disease; premorbid, ongoing major depression or psychosis, altered cognitive status; bipolar disorder; suicidal ideation or past suicide attempts;
* History of severe hearing problems, loss or tinnitus;
* Presence of urinary infection, fever, pressure ulcer; or open skin lesions (shoulders or arms);
* Recent history (\< 6 months) of recurrent autonomic dysreflexia, defined as a syndrome of sudden rise in systolic pressure greater than 20 mm Hg or diastolic pressure greater than 10 mm Hg, without rise in HR, accompanied by symptoms such as headache, facial flushing, sweating, nasal congestion, and blurry vision (closely monitored during all testing procedures);
* Heavy alcohol consumption (greater than equivalent of 5 oz of liquor) within previous 48 hours;
* Recent history (\>1 year) of chemical substance dependency or significant psychosocial disturbance;
* Study participation of an investigational drug or device \[60 days prior\];
* Unsuitable for study participation as determined by the study physician.