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Tajali S, Balbinot G, Pakosh M, Sayenko DG, Zariffa J, Masani K. Modulations in neural pathways excitability post transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation among individuals with spinal cord injury: a systematic review. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1372222. [PMID: 38591069 PMCID: PMC11000807 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1372222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS), a non-invasive form of spinal cord stimulation, has been shown to improve motor function in individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the effects of different types of TSCS currents including direct current (DC-TSCS), alternating current (AC-TSCS), and spinal paired stimulation on the excitability of neural pathways have not been systematically investigated. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effects of TSCS on the excitability of neural pathways in adults with non-progressive SCI at any level. Methods The following databases were searched from their inception until June 2022: MEDLINE ALL, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and clinical trials. A total of 4,431 abstracts were screened, and 23 articles were included. Results Nineteen studies used TSCS at the thoracolumbar enlargement for lower limb rehabilitation (gait & balance) and four studies used cervical TSCS for upper limb rehabilitation. Sixteen studies measured spinal excitability by reporting different outcomes including Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex), flexion reflex excitability, spinal motor evoked potentials (SMEPs), cervicomedullay evoked potentials (CMEPs), and cutaneous-input-evoked muscle response. Seven studies measured corticospinal excitability using motor evoked potentials (MEPs) induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and one study measured somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) following TSCS. Our findings indicated a decrease in the amplitude of H-reflex and long latency flexion reflex following AC-TSCS, alongside an increase in the amplitudes of SMEPs and CMEPs. Moreover, the application of the TSCS-TMS paired associative technique resulted in spinal reflex inhibition, manifested by reduced amplitudes in both the H-reflex and flexion reflex arc. In terms of corticospinal excitability, findings from 5 studies demonstrated an increase in the amplitude of MEPs linked to lower limb muscles following DC-TSCS, in addition to paired associative stimulation involving repetitive TMS on the brain and DC-TSCS on the spine. There was an observed improvement in the latency of SSEPs in a single study. Notably, the overall quality of evidence, assessed by the modified Downs and Black Quality assessment, was deemed poor. Discussion This review unveils the systematic evidence supporting the potential of TSCS in reshaping both spinal and supraspinal neuronal circuitries post-SCI. Yet, it underscores the critical necessity for more rigorous, high-quality investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin Tajali
- KITE Research Institute – University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gustavo Balbinot
- KITE Research Institute – University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Center for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application – CRANIA, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maureen Pakosh
- Library & Information Services, University Health Network, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, ON, Canada
| | - Dimitry G. Sayenko
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Neuroregeneration, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jose Zariffa
- KITE Research Institute – University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kei Masani
- KITE Research Institute – University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Lee KZ, Vinit S. Modulatory effect of trans-spinal magnetic intermittent theta burst stimulation on diaphragmatic activity following cervical spinal cord contusion in the rat. Spine J 2024; 24:352-372. [PMID: 37774983 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2023.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT Magnetic stimulation can noninvasively modulate the neuronal excitability through different stimulatory patterns. PURPOSE The present study hypothesized that trans-spinal magnetic stimulation with intermittent theta burst stimulatory pattern can modulate respiratory motor outputs in a pre-clinical rat model of cervical spinal cord injury. STUDY DESIGN In vivo animal study. METHODS The effect of trans-spinal magnetic intermittent theta burst stimulation on diaphragmatic activity was assessed in adult rats with unilateral cervical spinal cord contusion at 2 weeks postinjury. RESULTS The results demonstrated that unilateral cervical spinal cord contusion significantly attenuated the inspiratory activity and motor evoked potential of the diaphragm. Trans-spinal magnetic intermittent theta burst stimulation significantly increased the inspiratory activity of the diaphragm in cervical spinal cord contused rats. Inspiratory bursting was also recruited by trans-spinal magnetic intermittent theta burst stimulation in the rats without diaphragmatic activity after cervical spinal cord injury. In addition, trans-spinal magnetic intermittent theta burst stimulation is associated with increases in oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that trans-spinal magnetic intermittent theta burst stimulation can induce respiratory neuroplasticity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE We propose that trans-spinal theta burst magnetic stimulation may be considered a potential rehabilitative strategy for improving the respiratory activity after cervical spinal cord injury. This will require future clinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Ze Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, #70 Lien-Hai Rd, Kaohsiung, 804 Taiwan; Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, 9F, First Teaching Building, 100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan.
| | - Stéphane Vinit
- END-ICAP, UVSQ, Inserm, Université Paris-Saclay, Versailles 78000, France
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Wang Y, Dong T, Li X, Zhao H, Yang L, Xu R, Fu Y, Li L, Gai X, Qin D. Research progress on the application of transcranial magnetic stimulation in spinal cord injury rehabilitation: a narrative review. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1219590. [PMID: 37533475 PMCID: PMC10392830 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1219590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to severe disability and complications. The incidence of SCI is high, and the rehabilitation cycle is long, which increases the economic burden on patients and the health care system. However, there is no practical method of SCI treatment. Recently, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, has been shown to induce changes in plasticity in specific areas of the brain by regulating the activity of neurons in the stimulation site and its functionally connected networks. TMS is a new potential method for the rehabilitation of SCI and its complications. In addition, TMS can detect the activity of neural circuits in the central nervous system and supplement the physiological evaluation of SCI severity. This review describes the pathophysiology of SCI as well as the basic principles and classification of TMS. We mainly focused on the latest research progress of TMS in the physiological evaluation of SCI as well as the treatment of motor dysfunction, neuropathic pain, spasticity, neurogenic bladder, respiratory dysfunction, and other complications. This review provides new ideas and future directions for SCI assessment and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Tingting Dong
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Xiahuang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mengzi People’s Hospital, Mengzi, China
| | - Huiyun Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Dongchuan District People’s Hospital, Kunming, China
| | - Lili Yang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Rui Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yi Fu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kunming Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Emergency Trauma Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Xuesong Gai
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Dongdong Qin
- Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
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Adeel M, Lin BS, Chen HC, Lai CH, Liou JC, Wu CW, Chan WP, Peng CW. Motor Neuroplastic Effects of a Novel Paired Stimulation Technology in an Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury Animal Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169447. [PMID: 36012710 PMCID: PMC9409074 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Paired stimulation of the brain and spinal cord can remodel the central nervous tissue circuitry in an animal model to induce motor neuroplasticity. The effects of simultaneous stimulation vary according to the extent and severity of spinal cord injury. Therefore, our study aimed to determine the significant effects on an incomplete SCI rat brain and spinal cord through 3 min and 20 min stimulations after 4 weeks of intervention. Thirty-three Sprague Dawley rats were classified into six groups: (1) normal, (2) sham, (3) iTBS/tsDCS, (4) iTBS/ts-iTBS, (5) rTMS/tsDCS, and (6) rTMS/ts-iTBS. Paired stimulation of the brain cortex and spinal cord thoracic (T10) level was applied simultaneously for 3−20 min. The motor evoked potential (MEP) and Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores were recorded after every week of intervention for four weeks along with wheel training for 20 min. Three-minute stimulation with the iTBS/tsDCS intervention induced a significant (p < 0.050 *) increase in MEP after week 2 and week 4 treatments, while 3 min iTBS/ts-iTBS significantly improved MEP (p < 0.050 *) only after the week 3 intervention. The 20 min rTMS/ts-iTBS intervention showed a significant change only in post_5 min after week 4. The BBB score also changed significantly in all groups except for the 20 min rTMS/tsDCS intervention. iTBS/tsDCS and rTMS/ts-iTBS interventions induce neuroplasticity in an incomplete SCI animal model by significantly changing electrophysiological (MEP) and locomotion (BBB) outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Adeel
- School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Taipei University, New Taipei City 237, Taiwan
| | - Bor-Shing Lin
- Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Taipei University, New Taipei City 237, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chou Chen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 235, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hung Lai
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Chiun Liou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Wei Wu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Wing P. Chan
- Department of Radiology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Peng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- School of Gerontology and Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Research Center of Biomedical Device, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +886-2-2736-1661 (ext. 3070)
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Novel Strategies for Spinal Cord Regeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094552. [PMID: 35562941 PMCID: PMC9102050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating lesions, as it can damage the continuity and conductivity of the central nervous system, resulting in complex pathophysiology. Encouraged by the advances in nanotechnology, stem cell biology, and materials science, researchers have proposed various interdisciplinary approaches for spinal cord regeneration. In this respect, the present review aims to explore the most recent developments in SCI treatment and spinal cord repair. Specifically, it briefly describes the characteristics of SCIs, followed by an extensive discussion on newly developed nanocarriers (e.g., metal-based, polymer-based, liposomes) for spinal cord delivery, relevant biomolecules (e.g., growth factors, exosomes) for SCI treatment, innovative cell therapies, and novel natural and synthetic biomaterial scaffolds for spinal cord regeneration.
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