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Tashiro S, Tsuji O, Shinozaki M, Shibata T, Yoshida T, Tomioka Y, Unai K, Kondo T, Itakura G, Kobayashi Y, Yasuda A, Nori S, Fujiyoshi K, Nagoshi N, Kawakami M, Uemura O, Yamada S, Tsuji T, Okano H, Nakamura M. Current progress of rehabilitative strategies in stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury: a review. NPJ Regen Med 2021; 6:81. [PMID: 34824291 PMCID: PMC8616941 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-021-00191-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-based regenerative therapy has opened an avenue for functional recovery of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Regenerative rehabilitation is attracting wide attention owing to its synergistic effects, feasibility, non-invasiveness, and diverse and systemic properties. In this review article, we summarize the features of rehabilitation, describe the mechanism of combinatorial treatment, and discuss regenerative rehabilitation in the context of SCI. Although conventional rehabilitative methods have commonly been implemented alone, especially in studies of acute-to-subacute SCI, the combinatorial effects of intensive and advanced methods, including various neurorehabilitative approaches, have also been reported. Separating the concept of combined rehabilitation from regenerative rehabilitation, we suggest that the main roles of regenerative rehabilitation can be categorized as conditioning/reconditioning, functional training, and physical exercise, all of which are indispensable for enhancing functional recovery achieved using stem cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syoichi Tashiro
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan. .,Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Osahiko Tsuji
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Munehisa Shinozaki
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Shibata
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yoshida
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Tomioka
- Department of Rehabilitation, Murayama Medical Center, Musashi-Murayama, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Unai
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kondo
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Go Itakura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiomi Kobayashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Murayama Medical Center, Musashi-Murayama, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akimasa Yasuda
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Orthopaedic surgery, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nori
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kanehiro Fujiyoshi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Murayama Medical Center, Musashi-Murayama, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Narihito Nagoshi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michiyuki Kawakami
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osamu Uemura
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Rehabilitation, Murayama Medical Center, Musashi-Murayama, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin Yamada
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Tsuji
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaya Nakamura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
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Neckel ND, Dai H, Hanckel J, Lee Y, Albanese C, Rodriguez O. Skilled reach training enhances robotic gait training to restore overground locomotion following spinal cord injury in rats. Behav Brain Res 2021; 414:113490. [PMID: 34358574 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Rehabilitative training has been shown to improve motor function following spinal cord injury (SCI). Unfortunately, these gains are primarily task specific; where reach training only improves reaching, step training only improves stepping and stand training only improves standing. More troublesome is the tendency that the improvement in a trained task often comes at the expense of an untrained task. However, the task specificity of training does not preclude the benefits of combined rehabilitative training. Here we show that robot assisted gait training alone can partially reduce the deficits in unassisted overground locomotion following a C4/5 overhemisection injury in rats. When robot-assisted gait training is done in conjunction with skilled forelimb training, we observe a much greater level of recovery of unassisted overground locomotion. In order to provide reach training that would not interfere with our robotic gait training schedule, we prompted rats to increase the use of their forelimbs by replacing the standard overhead feeder with a custom made, deep welled hopper that dispensed nutritionally equivalent small milled pellets. We speculate that the increase in recovery from combined training is due to a more robust interneuronal relay network around the injury site. in vivo manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord indicated that there was no increase in the cellular activity, however ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) suggested an increase in collateralization around the injury site in rats that received both reach training and robot assisted gait training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan D Neckel
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, United States; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Georgetown University, United States.
| | - Haining Dai
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, United States
| | - John Hanckel
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University, United States
| | - Yichien Lee
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, United States; Center for Translational Imaging, Georgetown University, United States
| | - Christopher Albanese
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, United States; Center for Translational Imaging, Georgetown University, United States
| | - Olga Rodriguez
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University, United States; Center for Translational Imaging, Georgetown University, United States
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3
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Jesus I, Michel-Flutot P, Deramaudt TB, Paucard A, Vanhee V, Vinit S, Bonay M. Effects of aerobic exercise training on muscle plasticity in a mouse model of cervical spinal cord injury. Sci Rep 2021; 11:112. [PMID: 33420246 PMCID: PMC7794462 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80478-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) results in permanent life-altering motor and respiratory deficits. Other than mechanical ventilation for respiratory insufficiency secondary to cervical SCI, effective treatments are lacking and the development of animal models to explore new therapeutic strategies are needed. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the feasibility of using a mouse model of partial cervical spinal hemisection at the second cervical metameric segment (C2) to investigate the impact of 6 weeks training on forced exercise wheel system on locomotor/respiratory plasticity muscles. To measure run capacity locomotor and respiratory functions, incremental exercise tests and diaphragmatic electromyography were done. In addition, muscle fiber type composition and capillary distribution were assessed at 51 days following chronic C2 injury in diaphragm, extensor digitorum communis (EDC), tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus (SOL) muscles. Six-week exercise training increased the running capacity of trained SCI mice. Fiber type composition in EDC, TA and SOL muscles was not modified by our protocol of exercise. The vascularization was increased in all muscle limbs in SCI trained group. No increase in diaphragmatic electromyography amplitude of the diaphragm muscle on the side of SCI was observed, while the contraction duration was significantly decreased in sedentary group compared to trained group. Cross-sectional area of type IIa myofiber in the contralateral diaphragm side of SCI was smaller in trained group. Fiber type distribution between contralateral and ipsilateral diaphragm in SCI sedentary group was affected, while no difference was observed in trained group. In addition, the vascularization of the diaphragm side contralateral to SCI was increased in trained group. All these results suggest an increase in fatigue resistance and a contribution to the running capacity in SCI trained group. Our exercise protocol could be a promising non-invasive strategy to sustain locomotor and respiratory muscle plasticity following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isley Jesus
- Inserm, END-ICAP, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, 78000, Versailles, France
| | | | | | - Alexia Paucard
- Inserm, END-ICAP, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Valentin Vanhee
- Inserm, END-ICAP, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Stéphane Vinit
- Inserm, END-ICAP, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Marcel Bonay
- Inserm, END-ICAP, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, 78000, Versailles, France.
- Service de Physiologie-Explorations Fonctionnelles; Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Boulogne, France.
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Qi HX, Liao CC, Reed JL, Kaas JH. Reorganization of Higher-Order Somatosensory Cortex After Sensory Loss from Hand in Squirrel Monkeys. Cereb Cortex 2020; 29:4347-4365. [PMID: 30590401 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Unilateral dorsal column lesions (DCL) at the cervical spinal cord deprive the hand regions of somatosensory cortex of tactile activation. However, considerable cortical reactivation occurs over weeks to months of recovery. While most studies focused on the reactivation of primary somatosensory area 3b, here, for the first time, we address how the higher-order somatosensory cortex reactivates in the same monkeys after DCL that vary across cases in completeness, post-lesion recovery times, and types of treatments. We recorded neural responses to tactile stimulation in areas 3a, 3b, 1, secondary somatosensory cortex (S2), parietal ventral (PV), and occasionally areas 2/5. Our analysis emphasized comparisons of the responsiveness, somatotopy, and receptive field size between areas 3b, 1, and S2/PV across DCL conditions and recovery times. The results indicate that the extents of the reactivation in higher-order somatosensory areas 1 and S2/PV closely reflect the reactivation in primary somatosensory cortex. Responses in higher-order areas S2 and PV can be stronger than those in area 3b, thus suggesting converging or alternative sources of inputs. The results also provide evidence that both primary and higher-order fields are effectively activated after long recovery times as well as after behavioral and electrocutaneous stimulation interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Xin Qi
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Chia-Chi Liao
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jamie L Reed
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jon H Kaas
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
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Torres-Espín A, Beaudry E, Fenrich K, Fouad K. Rehabilitative Training in Animal Models of Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2019; 35:1970-1985. [PMID: 30074874 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.5906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rehabilitative motor training is currently one of the most widely used approaches to promote moderate recovery following injuries of the central nervous system. Such training is generally applied in the clinical setting, whereas it is not standard in preclinical research. This is a concern as it is becoming increasingly apparent that neuroplasticity enhancing treatments require training or some form of activity as a co-therapy to promote functional recovery. Despite the importance of training and the many open questions regarding its mechanistic consequences, its use in preclinical animal models is rather limited. Here we review approaches, findings and challenges when training is applied in animal models of spinal cord injury, and we suggest recommendations to facilitate the integration of training using an appropriate study design, into pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abel Torres-Espín
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Eric Beaudry
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Karim Fouad
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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6
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Dickson RG, Lall VK, Ichiyama RM. Enhancing plasticity in spinal sensorimotor circuits following injuries to facilitate recovery of motor control. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Theisen CC, Sachdeva R, Austin S, Kulich D, Kranz V, Houle JD. Exercise and Peripheral Nerve Grafts as a Strategy To Promote Regeneration after Acute or Chronic Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2017; 34:1909-1914. [PMID: 28437223 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2016.4640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic interventions after spinal cord injury (SCI) routinely are designed to address multiple aspects of the primary and/or secondary damage that occurs. Exercise has a demonstrated efficacy for post-SCI complications such as cardiovascular dysfunction, neuropathic pain, and chronic inflammation, yet there is little understanding of the mechanisms by which improvements might result from this non-invasive approach. Here we review several of our observations of molecular and cellular changes within the injured spinal cord following acute or delayed exercise regimens that illustrate the potential for positive effects on neuroprotection and rehabilitation. Further, we provide new information about the role of exercise in promoting the regeneration of spinal axons into peripheral nerve grafts (PNGs) placed immediately or 6 weeks after injury. Acute and chronically injured propriospinal neurons within the lumbar spinal cord displayed the greatest propensity for enhanced regeneration after exercise, which correlates with the direct sensory input to this region from exercised hindlimb muscles. Future studies will extend these observations by testing whether exercise will boost the regenerative effort of axons to extend beyond the graft, interact with intraspinal targets, and establish functional connections across a lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine C Theisen
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Rahul Sachdeva
- 2 University of British Columbia , Autonomic Research Laboratory, International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Scarlett Austin
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Danielle Kulich
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Victoria Kranz
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - John D Houle
- 1 Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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8
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Relevant Anatomic and Morphological Measurements of the Rat Spine: Considerations for Rodent Models of Human Spine Trauma. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2015; 40:E1084-92. [PMID: 26731709 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000001021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Basic science study measuring anatomical features of the cervical and lumbar spine in rat with normalized comparison with the human. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study is to comprehensively compare the rat and human cervical and lumbar spines to investigate whether the rat is an appropriate model for spine biomechanics investigations. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Animal models have been used for a long time to investigate the effects of trauma, degenerative changes, and mechanical loading on the structure and function of the spine. Comparative studies have reported some mechanical properties and/or anatomical dimensions of the spine to be similar between various species. However, those studies are largely limited to the lumbar spine, and a comprehensive comparison of the rat and human spines is lacking. METHODS Spines were harvested from male Holtzman rats (n = 5) and were scanned using micro- computed tomography and digitally rendered in 3 dimensions to quantify the spinal bony anatomy, including the lateral width and anteroposterior depth of the vertebra, vertebral body, and spinal canal, as well as the vertebral body and intervertebral disc heights. Normalized measurements of the vertebra, vertebral body, and spinal canal of the rat were computed and compared with corresponding measurements from the literature for the human in the cervical and lumbar spinal regions. RESULTS The vertebral dimensions of the rat spine vary more between spinal levels than in humans. Rat vertebrae are more slender than human vertebrae, but the width-to-depth axial aspect ratios are very similar in both species in both the cervical and lumbar regions, especially for the spinal canal. CONCLUSION The similar spinal morphology in the axial plane between rats and humans supports using the rat spine as an appropriate surrogate for modeling axial and shear loading of the human spine.
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Wang H, Liu NK, Zhang YP, Deng L, Lu QB, Shields CB, Walker MJ, Li J, Xu XM. Treadmill training induced lumbar motoneuron dendritic plasticity and behavior recovery in adult rats after a thoracic contusive spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2015; 271:368-78. [PMID: 26164199 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is devastating, causing sensorimotor impairments and paralysis. Persisting functional limitations on physical activity negatively affect overall health in individuals with SCI. Physical training may improve motor function by affecting cellular and molecular responses of motor pathways in the central nervous system (CNS) after SCI. Although motoneurons form the final common path for motor output from the CNS, little is known concerning the effect of exercise training on spared motoneurons below the level of injury. Here we examined the effect of treadmill training on morphological, trophic, and synaptic changes in the lumbar motoneuron pool and on behavior recovery after a moderate contusive SCI inflicted at the 9th thoracic vertebral level (T9) using an Infinite Horizon (IH, 200 kDyne) impactor. We found that treadmill training significantly improved locomotor function, assessed by Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale, and reduced foot drops, assessed by grid walking performance, as compared with non-training. Additionally, treadmill training significantly increased the total neurite length per lumbar motoneuron innervating the soleus and tibialis anterior muscles of the hindlimbs as compared to non-training. Moreover, treadmill training significantly increased the expression of a neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the lumbar motoneurons as compared to non-training. Finally, treadmill training significantly increased synaptic density, identified by synaptophysin immunoreactivity, in the lumbar motoneuron pool as compared to non-training. However, the density of serotonergic terminals in the same regions did not show a significant difference between treadmill training and non-training. Thus, our study provides a biological basis for exercise training as an effective medical practice to improve recovery after SCI. Such an effect may be mediated by synaptic plasticity, and neurotrophic modification in the spared lumbar motoneuron pool caudal to a thoracic contusive SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxing Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, PR China; Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Nai-Kui Liu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Yi Ping Zhang
- Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
| | - Lingxiao Deng
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Qing-Bo Lu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Christopher B Shields
- Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY 40202, United States
| | - Melissa J Walker
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Jianan Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, PR China.
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States.
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Wen J, Sun D, Tan J, Young W. A consistent, quantifiable, and graded rat lumbosacral spinal cord injury model. J Neurotrauma 2015; 32:875-92. [PMID: 25313633 PMCID: PMC4492780 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2013.3321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to develop a rat lumbosacral spinal cord injury (SCI) model that causes consistent motoneuronal loss and behavior deficits. Most SCI models focus on the thoracic or cervical spinal cord. Lumbosacral SCI accounts for about one third of human SCI but no standardized lumbosacral model is available for evaluating therapies. Twenty-six adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to three groups: sham (n=9), 25 mm (n=8), and 50 mm (n=9). Sham rats had laminectomy only, while 25 mm and 50 mm rats were injured by dropping a 10 g rod from a height of 25 mm or 50 mm, respectively, onto the L4-5 spinal cord at the T13/L1 vertebral junction. We measured footprint length (FL), toe spreading (TS), intermediate toe spreading (ITS), and sciatic function index (SFI) from walking footprints, and static toe spreading (STS), static intermediate toe spreading (SITS), and static sciatic index (SSI) from standing footprints. At six weeks, we assessed neuronal and white matter loss, quantified axons, diameter, and myelin thickness in the peroneal and tibial nerves, and measured cross-sectional areas of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle fibers. The result shows that peroneal and tibial motoneurons were respectively distributed in 4.71 mm and 5.01 mm columns in the spinal cord. Dropping a 10-g weight from 25 mm or 50 mm caused 1.5 mm or 3.75 mm gaps in peroneal and tibial motoneuronal columns, respectively, and increased spinal cord white matter loss. Fifty millimeter contusions significantly increased FL and reduced TS, ITS, STS, SITS, SFI, and SSI more than 25 mm contusions, and resulted in smaller axon and myelinated axon diameters in tibial and peroneal nerves and greater atrophy of gastrocnemius and anterior tibialis muscles, than 25 mm contusions. This model of lumbosacral SCI produces consistent and graded loss of white matter, motoneuronal loss, peripheral nerve axonal changes, and anterior tibialis and gastrocnemius muscles atrophy in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxiang Wen
- 1 Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey , Piscataway, New Jersey.,2 Department of Orthopaedics, Tongji University School of Medicine , Shanghai, China
| | - Dongming Sun
- 1 Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey , Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Jun Tan
- 2 Department of Orthopaedics, Tongji University School of Medicine , Shanghai, China
| | - Wise Young
- 1 Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey , Piscataway, New Jersey
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11
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Wong CC, Ramanathan DS, Gulati T, Won SJ, Ganguly K. An automated behavioral box to assess forelimb function in rats. J Neurosci Methods 2015; 246:30-7. [PMID: 25769277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodent forelimb reaching behaviors are commonly assessed using a single-pellet reach-to-grasp task. While the task is widely recognized as a very sensitive measure of distal limb function, it is also known to be very labor-intensive, both for initial training and the daily assessment of function. NEW METHOD Using components developed by open-source electronics platforms, we have designed and tested a low-cost automated behavioral box to measure forelimb function in rats. Our apparatus, made primarily of acrylic, was equipped with multiple sensors to control the duration and difficulty of the task, detect reach outcomes, and dispense pellets. Our control software, developed in MATLAB, was also used to control a camera in order to capture and process video during reaches. Importantly, such processing could monitor task performance in near real-time. RESULTS We further demonstrate that the automated apparatus can be used to expedite skill acquisition, thereby increasing throughput as well as facilitating studies of early versus late motor learning. The setup is also readily compatible with chronic electrophysiological monitoring. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS Compared to a previous version of this task, our setup provides a more efficient method to train and test rodents for studies of motor learning and recovery of function after stroke. The unbiased delivery of behavioral cues and outcomes also facilitates electrophysiological studies. CONCLUSIONS In summary, our automated behavioral box will allow high-throughput and efficient monitoring of rat forelimb function in both healthy and injured animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea C Wong
- Neurology & Rehabilitation Service, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Dhakshin S Ramanathan
- Neurology & Rehabilitation Service, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States; Psychiatry Service, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Tanuj Gulati
- Neurology & Rehabilitation Service, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Seok Joon Won
- Neurology & Rehabilitation Service, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Karunesh Ganguly
- Neurology & Rehabilitation Service, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States.
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Fenrich KK, May Z, Hurd C, Boychuk CE, Kowalczewski J, Bennett DJ, Whishaw IQ, Fouad K. Improved single pellet grasping using automated ad libitum full-time training robot. Behav Brain Res 2014; 281:137-48. [PMID: 25523027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.11.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Revised: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The single pellet grasping (SPG) task is a skilled forelimb motor task commonly used to evaluate reaching and grasp kinematics and recovery of forelimb function in rodent models of CNS injuries and diseases. To train rats in the SPG task, the animals are usually food restricted then placed in an SPG task enclosure and presented food pellets on a platform located beyond a slit located at the front of the task enclosure for 10-30 min, normally every weekday for several weeks. When the SPG task is applied in studies involving various experimental groups, training quickly becomes labor intensive, and can yield results with significant day-to-day variability. Furthermore, training is frequently done during the animals' light-cycle, which for nocturnal rodents such as mice and rats could affect performance. Here we describe an automated pellet presentation (APP) robotic system to train and test rats in the SPG task that reduces some of the procedural weaknesses of manual training. We found that APP trained rats performed significantly more trials per 24 h period, and had higher success rates with less daily and weekly variability than manually trained rats. Moreover, the results show that success rates are positively correlated with the number of dark-cycle trials, suggesting that dark-cycle training has a positive effect on success rates. These results demonstrate that automated training is an effective method for evaluating and training skilled reaching performance of rats, opening up the possibility for new approaches to investigating the role of motor systems in enabling skilled forelimb use and new approaches to investigating rehabilitation following CNS injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith K Fenrich
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 3-88 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada.
| | - Zacnicte May
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 3-88 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada
| | - Caitlin Hurd
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 3-88 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada
| | - Carolyn E Boychuk
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 3-88 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada
| | - Jan Kowalczewski
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada
| | - David J Bennett
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 3-88 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada
| | - Ian Q Whishaw
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Karim Fouad
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada; Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 3-88 Corbett Hall, Edmonton, AB T6E 2G4, Canada
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