title: A New Risk Factor for Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.
abstract: Several behavioral factors such as 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 characterize platelet MAO activity and impulsivity in persons with TSCI. Data were collected from 93 patients with TSCI and compared with 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 (24%) patients 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 with 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 with 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.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu , Tartu, Estonia .|2 Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinic, Tartu University Hospital , Tartu, Estonia .
authors.forename: Liis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sabre
authors.affiliation: 3 Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Psychology, University of Tartu , Tartu, Estonia .
authors.forename: Jaanus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harro
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Social Studies, University of Tartu , Tartu, Estonia .
authors.forename: Diva
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Eensoo
authors.affiliation: 3 Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Psychology, University of Tartu , Tartu, Estonia .
authors.forename: Mariliis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vaht
authors.affiliation: 5 Haapsalu Neurological Rehabilitation Centre , Haapsalu, Estonia .
authors.forename: Vaike
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kabel
authors.affiliation: 5 Haapsalu Neurological Rehabilitation Centre , Haapsalu, Estonia .
authors.forename: Malle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pakkanen
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu , Tartu, Estonia .|2 Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinic, Tartu University Hospital , Tartu, Estonia .
authors.forename: Toomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Asser
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu , Tartu, Estonia .|2 Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinic, Tartu University Hospital , Tartu, Estonia .
authors.forename: Janika
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kõrv
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000639:trends; D004957:Estonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008995:Monoamine Oxidase
keywords: impulsivity; platelet MAO activity; spinal cord trauma