Citation

Sabre L, Harro J, Eensoo D, Vaht M, Kabel V, Pakkanen M, Asser T, Kõrv J. J. Neurotrauma 2016; 33(21): 1946-1949.

Affiliation

University of Tartu, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery , L. Puusepa 8 , Tartu, Estonia , 51014 ; janika.korv@kliinikum.ee.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/neu.2016.4462

PMID

27071420

Abstract

Several behavioural factors like violence, impulsivity and alcohol related problems are associated with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). Such factors have been associated with inherently low neuronal serotonergic capacity that in turn is reflected in low activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) as measured in platelets. The aim of the study was to characterise platelet MAO activity and impulsivity in individuals with TSCI. Data were collected from 93 patients with TSCI and compared to 93 age- and gender-matched control subjects. Platelet MAO activity was measured radioenzymatically and expressed as nanomoles of beta-phenylethylamine oxidized per 10 to the tenth power platelets per minute. Facets of impulsivity were self-reported using Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Most of the patients were men (87%). The mean time from TSCI was 4.3±3.7 years. Twenty one patients (24%) reported social problems associated with alcohol and 30 (39%) patients had consumed alcohol before the trauma. Platelet MAO activity was significantly lower among the patients with TSCI (6.4±3.2 vs 10.8±5.2, p<0.0001). This difference was not affected by consideration of their smoking status. The patients with TSCI had significantly higher BIS-11 impulsivity compared to the controls (62.8±10.0 vs 55.4±8.6, p=0.0001). The patients with TSCI have lower platelet MAO activity and they are more impulsive compared to the healthy controls. Our results indicate that both low platelet MAO activity and high impulsivity are important risk factors for TSCI that can have predictive value and aid in undertaking preventive measures.

Language: en