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Rahmati SM, Klishko AN, Martin RS, Bunderson NE, Meslie JA, Nichols TR, Rybak IA, Frigon A, Burkholder TJ, Prilutsky BI. ROLE OF FORELIMB MORPHOLOGY IN MUSCLE SENSORIMOTOR FUNCTIONS DURING LOCOMOTION IN THE CAT. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.11.603106. [PMID: 39071389 PMCID: PMC11275737 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.11.603106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies established strong links between morphological characteristics of mammalian hindlimb muscles and their sensorimotor functions during locomotion. Less is known about the role of forelimb morphology in motor outputs and generation of sensory signals. Here, we measured morphological characteristics of 46 forelimb muscles from 6 cats. These characteristics included muscle attachments, physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA), fascicle length, etc. We also recorded full-body mechanics and EMG activity of forelimb muscles during level overground and treadmill locomotion in 7 and 16 adult cats of either sex, respectively. We computed forelimb muscle forces along with force- and length-dependent sensory signals mapped onto corresponding cervical spinal segments. We found that patterns of computed muscle forces and afferent activities were strongly affected by the muscle's moment arm, PCSA, and fascicle length. Morphology of the shoulder muscles suggests distinct roles of the forelimbs in lateral force production and movements. Patterns of length-dependent sensory activity of muscles with long fibers (brachioradialis, extensor carpi radialis) closely matched patterns of overall forelimb length, whereas the activity pattern of biceps brachii matched forelimb orientation. We conclude that cat forelimb muscle morphology contributes substantially to locomotor function, particularly to control lateral stability and turning, rather than propulsion.
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Lecomte CG, Mari S, Audet J, Yassine S, Merlet AN, Morency C, Harnie J, Beaulieu C, Gendron L, Frigon A. Neuromechanical Strategies for Obstacle Negotiation during Overground Locomotion following Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury in Adult Cats. J Neurosci 2023; 43:5623-5641. [PMID: 37474307 PMCID: PMC10401655 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0478-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Following incomplete spinal cord injury in animals, including humans, substantial locomotor recovery can occur. However, functional aspects of locomotion, such as negotiating obstacles, remains challenging. We collected kinematic and electromyography data in 10 adult cats (5 males, 5 females) before and at weeks 1-2 and 7-8 after a lateral mid-thoracic hemisection on the right side of the cord while they negotiated obstacles of three different heights. Intact cats always cleared obstacles without contact. At weeks 1-2 after hemisection, the ipsilesional right hindlimb contacted obstacles in ∼50% of trials, triggering a stumbling corrective reaction or absent responses, which we termed Other. When complete clearance occurred, we observed exaggerated ipsilesional hindlimb flexion when crossing the obstacle with contralesional Left limbs leading. At weeks 7-8 after hemisection, the proportion of complete clearance increased, Other responses decreased, and stumbling corrective reactions remained relatively unchanged. We found redistribution of weight support after hemisection, with reduced diagonal supports and increased homolateral supports, particularly on the left contralesional side. The main neural strategy for complete clearance in intact cats consisted of increased knee flexor activation. After hemisection, ipsilesional knee flexor activation remained, but it was insufficient or more variable as the limb approached the obstacle. Intact cats also increased their speed when stepping over an obstacle, an increase that disappeared after hemisection. The increase in complete clearance over time after hemisection paralleled the recovery of muscle activation patterns or new strategies. Our results suggest partial recovery of anticipatory control through neuroplastic changes in the locomotor control system.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Most spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are incomplete and people can recover some walking functions. However, the main challenge for people with SCIs that do recover a high level of function is to produce a gait that can adjust to everyday occurrences, such as turning, stepping over an obstacle, etc. Here, we use the cat model to answer two basic questions: How does an animal negotiate an obstacle after an incomplete SCI and why does it fail to safely clear it? We show that the inability to clear an obstacle is because of improper activation of muscles that flex the knee. Animals recover a certain amount of function thanks to new strategies and changes within the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charly G Lecomte
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Stephen Mari
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Johannie Audet
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Sirine Yassine
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Angèle N Merlet
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Caroline Morency
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Jonathan Harnie
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Claudie Beaulieu
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Louis Gendron
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
| | - Alain Frigon
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada
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Lecomte CG, Mari S, Audet J, Merlet AN, Harnie J, Beaulieu C, Abdallah K, Gendron L, Rybak IA, Prilutsky BI, Frigon A. Modulation of the gait pattern during split-belt locomotion after lateral spinal cord hemisection in adult cats. J Neurophysiol 2022; 128:1593-1616. [PMID: 36382895 PMCID: PMC9744650 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00230.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most previous studies investigated the recovery of locomotion in animals and people with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) during relatively simple tasks (e.g., walking in a straight line on a horizontal surface or a treadmill). We know less about the recovery of locomotion after incomplete SCI in left-right asymmetric conditions, such as turning or stepping along circular trajectories. To investigate this, we collected kinematic and electromyography data during split-belt locomotion at different left-right speed differences before and after a right thoracic lateral spinal cord hemisection in nine adult cats. After hemisection, although cats still performed split-belt locomotion, we observed several changes in the gait pattern compared with the intact state at early (1-2 wk) and late (7-8 wk) time points. Cats with larger lesions showed new coordination patterns between the fore- and hindlimbs, with the forelimbs taking more steps. Despite this change in fore-hind coordination, cats maintained consistent phasing between the fore- and hindlimbs. Adjustments in cycle and phase (stance and swing) durations between the slow and fast sides allowed animals to maintain 1:1 left-right coordination. Periods of triple support involving the right (ipsilesional) hindlimb decreased in favor of quad support and triple support involving the other limbs. Step and stride lengths decreased with concurrent changes in the right fore- and hindlimbs, possibly to avoid interference. The above adjustments in the gait pattern allowed cats to retain the ability to locomote in asymmetric conditions after incomplete SCI. We discuss potential plastic neuromechanical mechanisms involved in locomotor recovery in these conditions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Everyday locomotion often involves left-right asymmetries, when turning, walking along circular paths, stepping on uneven terrains, etc. To show how incomplete spinal cord injury affects locomotor control in asymmetric conditions, we collected data before and after a thoracic lateral spinal hemisection on a split-belt treadmill with one side stepping faster than the other. We show that adjustments in kinematics and muscle activity allowed cats to retain the ability to perform asymmetric locomotion after hemisection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charly G Lecomte
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Stephen Mari
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Johannie Audet
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Angèle N Merlet
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jonathan Harnie
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Claudie Beaulieu
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Khaled Abdallah
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louis Gendron
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Ilya A Rybak
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Boris I Prilutsky
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Alain Frigon
- Department of Pharmacology-Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Centre de Recherche du CHUS, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
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Reza Bagheri S, Abdi A, Benson J, Naghdi N, Eden SV, Arjmand M, Amini Z, Lawton MT, Alimohammadi E. The significant impact of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on in-hospital mortality of elderly patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: A retrospective observational study. J Clin Neurosci 2021; 93:241-246. [PMID: 34656255 PMCID: PMC8462266 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2021.09.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the main causes of death and disability among the elderly patient population. This study aimed to assess the predictors of in-hospital mortality of elderly patients with moderate to severe TBI who presented during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods In this retrospective analytical study, all elderly patients with moderate to severe TBI who were referred to our center between March 2nd, 2020 to August 1st, 2020 were investigated and compared against the TBI patients receiving treatment during the same time period within the year 2019. Patients were followed until discharge from the hospital or death. The demographic, clinical, radiological, and laboratory test data were evaluated. Data were analyzed using SPSS-21 software. Findings In this study, 359 elderly patients were evaluated (n = 162, Post-COVID-19). Fifty-four patients of the cohort had COVID-19 disease with a mortality rate was 33.3%. The patients with COVID-19 were 5.45 times more likely to expire before discharge (P < 0.001) than the TBI patients who were not COVID-19 positive. Other variables such as hypotension (OR, 4.57P < 0.001), hyperglycemia (OR, 2.39, P = 0.002), and use of anticoagulant drugs (OR, 2.41P = 0.001) were also associated with in-hospital death. According to the binary logistic regression analysis Age (OR, 1.72; 95% CI: 1.26–2.18; P = 0.033), Coronavirus infection (OR, 2.21; 95% CI: 1.83–2.92; P = 0.011) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (OR, 3.11; 95% CI: 2.12–4.53; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors correlated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality of elderly patients with moderate to severe TBI. Conclusion Our results showed that Coronavirus infection could increase the risk of in-hospital mortality of elderly patients with moderate to severe TBI significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Reza Bagheri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Alireza Abdi
- Nursing and Midwifery School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran
| | | | - Negin Naghdi
- Clinical Research Development Center, Taleghani and Imam Ali Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Sonia V Eden
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Minoo Arjmand
- Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Taleghani Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Zahra Amini
- Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Michael T Lawton
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
| | - Ehsan Alimohammadi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
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Kajtaz E, Montgomery LR, McMurtry S, Howland DR, Nichols TR. Non-uniform upregulation of the autogenic stretch reflex among hindlimb extensors following lateral spinal lesion in the cat. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:2679-2691. [PMID: 34218298 PMCID: PMC9805805 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-06016-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Successful propagation throughout the step cycle is contingent on adequate regulation of whole-limb stiffness by proprioceptive feedback. Following spinal cord injury (SCI), there are changes in the strength and organization of proprioceptive feedback that can result in altered joint stiffness. In this study, we measured changes in autogenic feedback of five hindlimb extensor muscles following chronic low thoracic lateral hemisection (LSH) in decerebrate cats. We present three features of the autogenic stretch reflex obtained using a mechanographic method. Stiffness was a measure of the resistance to stretch during the length change. The dynamic index documented the extent of adaptation or increase of the force response during the hold phase, and the impulse measured the integral of the response from initiation of a stretch to the return to the initial length. The changes took the form of variable and transient increases in the stiffness of vastus (VASTI) group, soleus (SOL), and flexor hallucis longus (FHL), and either increased (VASTI) or decreased adaptation (GAS and PLANT). The stiffness of the gastrocnemius group (GAS) was also variable over time but remained elevated at the final time point. An unexpected finding was that these effects were observed bilaterally. Potential reasons for this finding and possible sources of increased excitability to this muscle group are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kajtaz
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30318, USA
| | - L R Montgomery
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Research Service, Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - S McMurtry
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30318, USA
| | - D R Howland
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, The University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
- Research Service, Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - T Richard Nichols
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30318, USA.
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Niazi IF, Lyle MA, Rising A, Howland DR, Nichols TR. Redistribution of inhibitory force feedback between a long toe flexor and the major ankle extensor muscles following spinal cord injury. J Neurosci Res 2020; 98:1646-1661. [PMID: 32537945 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitory pathways from Golgi tendon organs project widely between muscles crossing different joints and axes of rotation. Evidence suggests that the strength and distribution of this intermuscular inhibition is dependent on motor task and corresponding signals from the brainstem. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether this sensory network is altered after spinal cord hemisection as a potential explanation for motor deficits observed after spinal cord injury (SCI). Force feedback was assessed between the long toe flexor and ankle plantarflexor (flexor hallucis longus), and the three major ankle extensors, (combined gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles) in the hind limbs of unanesthetized, decerebrate, female cats. Data were collected from animals with intact spinal cords (control) and lateral spinal hemisections (LSHs) including chronic LSH (4-20 weeks), subchronic LSH (2 weeks), and acute LSH. Muscles were stretched individually and in pairwise combinations to measure intermuscular feedback between the toe flexor and each of the ankle extensors. In control animals, three patterns were observed (balanced inhibition between toe flexor and ankle extensors, stronger inhibition from toe flexor to ankle extensor, and vice versa). Following spinal hemisection, only strong inhibition from toe flexors onto ankle extensors was observed independent of survival time. The results suggest immediate and permanent reorganization of force feedback in the injured spinal cord. The altered strength and distribution of force feedback after SCI may be an important future target for rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irrum F Niazi
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mark A Lyle
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Aaron Rising
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA.,National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dena R Howland
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.,Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - T Richard Nichols
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Doperalski AE, Montgomery LR, Mondello SE, Howland DR. Anatomical Plasticity of Rostrally Terminating Axons as a Possible Bridging Substrate across a Spinal Injury. J Neurotrauma 2020; 37:877-888. [PMID: 31774025 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transfer of information across a spinal lesion is required for many aspects of recovery across diverse motor systems. Our understanding of axonal plasticity and which subpopulations of neurons may contribute to bridging substrates following injury, however, remains relatively incomplete. Most recently, attention has been directed to propriospinal neurons (PSNs), with research suggesting that they are capable of bridging a spinal lesion in rodents. In the current study, subpopulations of both long (C5) and short (T6, T8) PSNs-as well as a supraspinal system, the rubrospinal tract (RST)-were assessed following low thoracic (T9) hemisection in the cat using the retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold. Acutely, within 2 weeks post-hemisection, the numbers of short and long PSNs, as well as contralateral RST neurons, with axons crossing the lesion were significantly decreased relative to uninjured controls. This decrease persisted bilaterally and was permanent in the long PSNs and the contralateral red nucleus (RN). However, by 16 weeks post-hemisection, the numbers of ipsilesional and contralesional short PSNs bridging the lesion were significantly increased. Further, the number of contralesional contributing short PSNs was significantly greater in injured animals than in uninjured animals. A significant increase over uninjured numbers also was seen in the ipsilateral (non-axotomized) RN. These findings suggest that a novel substrate of undamaged axons, which normally terminates rostral to the lesion, grows past a thoracic lesion after injury. This rostral population represents a major component of the bridging substrate seen and may represent an important anatomical target for evolving rehabilitation approaches as a substrate capable of contributing to functional recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele E Doperalski
- Department of Biology, American University, Washington DC.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Lynnette R Montgomery
- Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky
| | - Sarah E Mondello
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida.,Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Dena R Howland
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.,Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, Florida.,Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.,Robley Rex VA Medical Center, Louisville, Kentucky
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A three dimensional multiplane kinematic model for bilateral hind limb gait analysis in cats. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197837. [PMID: 30080884 PMCID: PMC6078300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Kinematic gait analysis is an important noninvasive technique used for quantitative evaluation and description of locomotion and other movements in healthy and injured populations. Three dimensional (3D) kinematic analysis offers additional outcome measures including internal-external rotation not characterized using sagittal plane (2D) analysis techniques. Methods The objectives of this study were to 1) develop and evaluate a 3D hind limb multiplane kinematic model for gait analysis in cats using joint coordinate systems, 2) implement and compare two 3D stifle (knee) prediction techniques, and 3) compare flexion-extension determined using the multiplane model to a sagittal plane model. Walking gait was recorded in 3 female adult cats (age = 2.9 years, weight = 3.5 ± 0.2 kg). Kinematic outcomes included flexion-extension, internal-external rotation, and abduction-adduction of the hip, stifle, and tarsal (ankle) joints. Results Each multiplane stifle prediction technique yielded similar findings. Joint angles determined using markers placed on skin above bony landmarks in vivo were similar to joint angles determined using a feline hind limb skeleton in which markers were placed directly on landmarks ex vivo. Differences in hip, stifle, and tarsal joint flexion-extension were demonstrated when comparing the multiplane model to the sagittal plane model. Conclusions This multiplane cat kinematic model can predict joint rotational kinematics as a tool that can quantify frontal, transverse, and sagittal plane motion. This model has multiple advantages given its ability to characterize joint internal-external rotation and abduction-adduction. A further, important benefit is greater accuracy in representing joint flexion-extension movements.
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Mayer WP, Akay T. Stumbling corrective reaction elicited by mechanical and electrical stimulation of the saphenous nerve in walking mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.178095. [PMID: 29776999 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.178095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The ability to walk around in a natural environment requires the capacity to cope with unexpected obstacles that may disrupt locomotion. One such mechanism is called the stumbling corrective reaction (SCR) that enables animals to step over obstacles that would otherwise disturb the progression of swing movement. Here we use in vivo motion analysis and physiological recording techniques to describe the SCR in mice. We show that SCR can be elicited consistently in mice during locomotion by inserting an obstacle along the path of leg movement during swing phase. Furthermore, we show that the same behavior can be elicited if the saphenous nerve, a cutaneous nerve that would detect contact of the leg with an object, is stimulated electrically. This suggests that cutaneous afferent feedback is sufficient to elicit SCR. We further show that the SCR is phase dependent, occurring only with stimulation during swing phase, but not during early stance. During SCR elicited by either method, the foot is lifted higher to clear the object by flexing the knee, via the semitendinosus muscle, and ankle joint, by tibialis anterior contraction. The tibialis anterior also exhibits a brief extension before flexion onset. Our data provide a detailed description of SCR in mice and will be crucial for future research that aims to identify the interneurons of the premotor network controlling SCR and its neuronal mechanisms by combining motion analysis, electrophysiology and mouse genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Paganini Mayer
- Dalhousie University, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Atlantic Mobility Action Project, Brain Repair Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4R2.,Federal University of Espirito Santo, Department of Morphology, Vitoria, Espírito Santo, Brazil 29.040-090
| | - Turgay Akay
- Dalhousie University, Department of Medical Neuroscience, Atlantic Mobility Action Project, Brain Repair Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4R2
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Tamoxifen Promotes Axonal Preservation and Gait Locomotion Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury in Cats. J Vet Med 2016; 2016:9561968. [PMID: 27006979 PMCID: PMC4781988 DOI: 10.1155/2016/9561968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We performed experiments in cats with a spinal cord penetrating hemisection at T13-L1 level, with and without tamoxifen treatment. The results showed that the numbers of the ipsilateral and contralateral ventral horn neurons were reduced to less than half in the nontreated animals compared with the treated ones. Also, axons myelin sheet was preserved to almost normal values in treated cats. On the contrary, in the untreated animals, their myelin sheet was reduced to 28% at 30 days after injury (DAI), in both the ipsilateral and contralateral regions of the spinal cord. Additionally, we made hindlimb kinematics experiments to study the effects of tamoxifen on cat locomotion after the injury: at 4, 16, and 30 DAI. We observed that the ipsilateral hindlimb angular displacement (AD) of the pendulum-like movements (PLM) during gait locomotion was recovered to almost normal values in treated cats. Contralateral PLM acquired similar values to those obtained in intact cats. At 4 DAI, untreated animals showed a compensatory increment of PLM occurring in the contralateral hindlimb, which was partially recovered at 30 DAI. Our findings indicate that tamoxifen exerts a neuroprotective effect and preserves or produces myelinated axons, which could benefit the locomotion recovery in injured cats.
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Gossard JP, Delivet-Mongrain H, Martinez M, Kundu A, Escalona M, Rossignol S. Plastic Changes in Lumbar Locomotor Networks after a Partial Spinal Cord Injury in Cats. J Neurosci 2015; 35:9446-55. [PMID: 26109667 PMCID: PMC6605194 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4502-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
After an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI), we know that plastic reorganization occurs in supraspinal structures with residual descending tracts. However, our knowledge about spinal plasticity is rather limited. Our recent studies point to changes within the spinal cord below the lesion. After a lateral left hemisection (T10), cats recovered stepping with both hindlimbs within 3 weeks. After a complete section (T13) in these cats, bilateral stepping was seen on the next day, a skill usually acquired after several weeks of treadmill training. This indicates that durable plastic changes occurred below the lesion. However, because sensory feedback entrains the stepping rhythm, it is difficult to reveal central pattern generator (CPG) adaptation. Here, we investigated whether lumbar segments of cats with a chronic hemisection were able to generate fictive locomotion-that is, without phasic sensory feedback as monitored by five muscle nerves in each hindlimb. With a chronic left hemisection, the number of muscle nerves displaying locomotor bursts was larger on the left than on the right. In addition, transmission of cutaneous reflexes was relatively facilitated on the left. Later during the acute experiment, a complete spinalization (T13) was performed and clonidine was injected to induce rhythmic activities. There were still more muscle nerves displaying locomotor bursts on the left. The results demonstrate that spinal networks were indeed modified after a hemisection with a clear asymmetry between left and right in the capacity to generate locomotion. Plastic changes in CPG and reflex transmission below the lesion are thus involved in the stepping recovery after an incomplete SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Gossard
- Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3C3J7, Canada, and
| | - Hugo Delivet-Mongrain
- Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3C3J7, Canada, and
| | - Marina Martinez
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Aritra Kundu
- Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3C3J7, Canada, and
| | - Manuel Escalona
- Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3C3J7, Canada, and
| | - Serge Rossignol
- Groupe de Recherche sur le Système Nerveux Central, Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec H3C3J7, Canada, and
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