Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) lead to alterations in brain structure and brain function by direct effects of nerve damage, by secondary mechanisms, and also by longer term injury consequences such as paralysis and neuropathic pain. Here, we review neuroimaging studies of patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries, perform a quantitative meta-analysis of motor and motor imagery studies, summarize structural studies, evidence of cortical reorganization, and provide an overview of diffusion and spectroscopy studies. The meta-analysis showed significantly altered motor cortex, as well as cerebellar and parietal lobe changes, and qualitatively consistent reports of alterations in somatosensory brain structure, cortical reorganization, white matter diffusion and thalamic metabolites. Larger samples in combination with standardized imaging protocols and data sharing will further our understanding of brain changes after SCI and help in defining short and long-term changes in brain systems in SCI patients. Such data would provide a basis for clinical trials, treatment outcomes, and guide novel interventions.

脊髓损伤（SCI）通过神经损伤的直接作用，继发性机制以及长期的损伤后果（如麻痹和神经性疼痛）导致大脑结构和脑功能的改变。在这里，我们回顾了脊髓外伤患者的神经影像学研究，对运动和运动图像研究进行了定量的荟萃分析，总结了结构研究，皮质重组的证据，并提供了扩散和光谱学研究的概述。荟萃分析显示运动皮层以及小脑和顶叶的变化显着改变，并且在质感上一致的报道表明体感大脑结构，皮层重组，白质扩散和丘脑代谢物发生了变化。更大的样本与标准化的成像协议和数据共享相结合，将进一步加深我们对SCI后脑部变化的理解，并有助于确定SCI患者脑系统的短期和长期变化。这样的数据将为临床试验，治疗结果提供基础，并指导新颖的干预措施。