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Yildiz N, Cecen S, Sancar N, Karacan I, Knikou M, Türker KS. Postsynaptic potentials of soleus motor neurons produced by transspinal stimulation: a human single-motor unit study. J Neurophysiol 2024; 131:1101-1111. [PMID: 38656134 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00077.2024] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Transspinal (or transcutaneous spinal cord) stimulation is a noninvasive, cost-effective, easily applied method with great potential as a therapeutic modality for recovering somatic and nonsomatic functions in upper motor neuron disorders. However, how transspinal stimulation affects motor neuron depolarization is poorly understood, limiting the development of effective transspinal stimulation protocols for rehabilitation. In this study, we characterized the responses of soleus α motor neurons to single-pulse transspinal stimulation using single-motor unit (SMU) discharges as a proxy given the 1:1 discharge activation between the motor neuron and the motor unit. Peristimulus time histogram, peristimulus frequencygram, and surface electromyography (sEMG) were used to characterize the postsynaptic potentials of soleus motor neurons. Transspinal stimulation produced short-latency excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) followed by two distinct phases of inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in most soleus motor neurons and only IPSPs in others. Transspinal stimulation generated double discharges at short interspike intervals in a few motor units. The short-latency EPSPs were likely mediated by muscle spindle group Ia and II afferents, and the IPSPs via excitation of group Ib afferents and recurrent collaterals of motor neurons leading to activation of diverse spinal inhibitory interneuronal circuits. Further studies are warranted to understand better how transspinal stimulation affects depolarization of α motor neurons over multiple spinal segments. This knowledge will be seminal for developing effective transspinal stimulation protocols in upper motor neuron lesions.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Transspinal stimulation produces distinct actions on soleus motor neurons: an early short-latency excitation followed by two inhibitions or only inhibition and doublets. These results show how transspinal stimulation affects depolarization of soleus α motor neurons in healthy humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilgün Yildiz
- Faculty of Dentistry & Physiology, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Serpil Cecen
- Department of Physiology, Hamidiye Medical School, Health Science University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Nuray Sancar
- Faculty of Dentistry & Physiology, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ilhan Karacan
- Hamidiye Medical School, Physical Therapy Research and Education Hospital, Health Science University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, New York, New York, United States
- PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of The City University of New York and College of Staten Island, New York, New York, United States
| | - Kemal S Türker
- Faculty of Dentistry & Physiology, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Sayed Ahmad AM, Raphael M, Han JF, Ahmed Y, Moustafa M, Solomon SK, Skiadopoulos A, Knikou M. Soleus H-reflex amplitude modulation during walking remains physiological during transspinal stimulation in humans. Exp Brain Res 2024; 242:1267-1276. [PMID: 38366214 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-024-06779-x] [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: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The soleus H-reflex modulation pattern was investigated during stepping following transspinal stimulation over the thoracolumbar region at 15, 30, and 50 Hz with 10 kHz carry-over frequency above and below the paresthesia threshold. The soleus H-reflex was elicited by posterior tibial nerve stimulation with a single 1 ms pulse at an intensity that the M-wave amplitudes ranged from 0 to 15% of the maximal M-wave evoked 80 ms after the test stimulus, and the soleus H-reflex was half the size of the maximal H-reflex evoked on the ascending portion of the recruitment curve. During treadmill walking, the soleus H-reflex was elicited every 2 or 3 steps, and stimuli were randomly dispersed across the step cycle which was divided in 16 equal bins. For each subject and condition, the soleus M-wave and H-reflex were normalized to the maximal M-wave. The soleus background electromyographic (EMG) activity was estimated as the linear envelope for 50 ms duration starting at 100 ms before posterior tibial nerve stimulation for each bin. The gain was determined as the slope of the relationship between the soleus H-reflex and the soleus background EMG activity. The soleus H-reflex phase-dependent amplitude modulation remained unaltered during transspinal stimulation, regardless frequency, or intensity. Similarly, the H-reflex slope and intercept remained the same for all transspinal stimulation conditions tested. Locomotor EMG activity was increased in knee extensor muscles during transspinal stimulation at 30 and 50 Hz throughout the step cycle while no effects were observed in flexor muscles. These findings suggest that transspinal stimulation above and below the paresthesia threshold at 15, 30, and 50 Hz does not block or impair spinal integration of proprioceptive inputs and increases activity of thigh muscles that affect both hip and knee joint movement. Transspinal stimulation may serve as a neurorecovery strategy to augment standing or walking ability in upper motoneuron lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah M Sayed Ahmad
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Meghan Raphael
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Jessy Feng Han
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Yoseph Ahmed
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Mohamed Moustafa
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Shammah K Solomon
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Andreas Skiadopoulos
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA.
- PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, DPT Department, Graduate Center of The City University of New York and College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY, USA.
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3
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Skiadopoulos A, Knikou M. Tapping into the human spinal locomotor centres with transspinal stimulation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5990. [PMID: 38472313 PMCID: PMC10933285 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56579-0] [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: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Human locomotion is controlled by spinal neuronal networks of similar properties, function, and organization to those described in animals. Transspinal stimulation affects the spinal locomotor networks and is used to improve standing and walking ability in paralyzed people. However, the function of locomotor centers during transspinal stimulation at different frequencies and intensities is not known. Here, we document the 3D joint kinematics and spatiotemporal gait characteristics during transspinal stimulation at 15, 30, and 50 Hz at sub-threshold and supra-threshold stimulation intensities. We document the temporal structure of gait patterns, dynamic stability of joint movements over stride-to-stride fluctuations, and limb coordination during walking at a self-selected speed in healthy subjects. We found that transspinal stimulation (1) affects the kinematics of the hip, knee, and ankle joints, (2) promotes a more stable coordination at the left ankle, (3) affects interlimb coordination of the thighs, and (4) intralimb coordination between thigh and foot, (5) promotes greater dynamic stability of the hips, (6) increases the persistence of fluctuations in step length variability, and lastly (7) affects mechanical walking stability. These results support that transspinal stimulation is an important neuromodulatory strategy that directly affects gait symmetry and dynamic stability. The conservation of main effects at different frequencies and intensities calls for systematic investigation of stimulation protocols for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Skiadopoulos
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, USA.
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA.
- PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of The City University of New York and College of Staten Island, New York, USA.
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, Neurosciences/Graduate Center of CUNY, DPT Department/College of Staten Island, 2800 Victory Blvd, 5N-207, New York, 10314, USA.
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Lin BS, Zhang Z, Peng CW, Chen SH, Chan WP, Lai CH. Effectiveness of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined With Transspinal Electrical Stimulation on Corticospinal Excitability for Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng 2023; 31:4790-4800. [PMID: 38032783 DOI: 10.1109/tnsre.2023.3338226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and transspinal electrical stimulation (tsES) have been proposed as a novel neurostimulation modality for individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). In this study, we integrated magnetic and electrical stimulators to provide neuromodulation therapy to individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). We designed a clinical trial comprising an 8-week treatment period and a 4-week treatment-free observation period. Cortical excitability, clinical features, inertial measurement unit and surface electromyography were assessed every 4 weeks. Twelve individuals with iSCI were recruited and randomly divided into a combined therapy group, a magnetic stimulation group, an electrical stimulation group, or a sham stimulation group. The magnetic and electric stimulations provided in this study were intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) and 2.5-mA direct current (DC) stimulation, respectively. Combined therapy, which involves iTBS and transspinal DC stimulation (tsDCS), was more effective than was iTBS alone or tsDCS alone in terms of increasing corticospinal excitability. In conclusion, the effectiveness of 8-week combined therapy in increasing corticospinal excitability faded 4 weeks after the cessation of treatment. According to the results, combination of iTBS rTMS and tsDCS treatment was more effective than was iTBS rTMS alone or tsDCS alone in enhancing corticospinal excitability. Although promising, the results of this study must be validated by studies with longer interventions and larger sample sizes.
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Skiadopoulos A, Famodimu GO, Solomon SK, Agarwal P, Harel NY, Knikou M. Priming locomotor training with transspinal stimulation in people with spinal cord injury: study protocol of a randomized clinical trial. Trials 2023; 24:145. [PMID: 36841773 PMCID: PMC9960224 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07193-4] [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: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The seemingly simple tasks of standing and walking require continuous integration of complex spinal reflex circuits between descending motor commands and ascending sensory inputs. Spinal cord injury greatly impairs standing and walking ability, but both improve with locomotor training. However, even after multiple locomotor training sessions, abnormal muscle activity and coordination persist. Thus, locomotor training alone cannot fully optimize the neuronal plasticity required to strengthen the synapses connecting the brain, spinal cord, and local circuits and potentiate neuronal activity based on need. Transcutaneous spinal cord (transspinal) stimulation alters motoneuron excitability over multiple segments by bringing motoneurons closer to threshold, a prerequisite for effectively promoting spinal locomotor network neuromodulation and strengthening neural connectivity of the injured human spinal cord. Importantly, whether concurrent treatment with transspinal stimulation and locomotor training maximizes motor recovery after spinal cord injury is unknown. METHODS Forty-five individuals with chronic spinal cord injury are receiving 40 sessions of robotic gait training primed with 30 Hz transspinal stimulation at the Thoracic 10 vertebral level. Participants are randomized to receive 30 min of active or sham transspinal stimulation during standing or active transspinal stimulation while supine followed by 30 min of robotic gait training. Over the course of locomotor training, the body weight support, treadmill speed, and leg guidance force are adjusted as needed for each participant based on absence of knee buckling during the stance phase and toe dragging during the swing phase. At baseline and after completion of all therapeutic sessions, neurophysiological recordings registering corticospinal and spinal neural excitability changes along with clinical assessment measures of standing and walking, and autonomic function via questionnaires regarding bowel, bladder, and sexual function are taken. DISCUSSION The results of this mechanistic randomized clinical trial will demonstrate that tonic transspinal stimulation strengthens corticomotoneuronal connectivity and dynamic neuromodulation through posture-dependent corticospinal and spinal neuroplasticity. We anticipate that this mechanistic clinical trial will greatly impact clinical practice because, in real-world clinical settings, noninvasive transspinal stimulation can be more easily and widely implemented than invasive epidural stimulation. Additionally, by applying multiple interventions to accelerate motor recovery, we are employing a treatment regimen that reflects a true clinical approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04807764 . Registered on March 19, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Skiadopoulos
- grid.254498.60000 0001 2198 5185Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY USA ,grid.254498.60000 0001 2198 5185Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY USA
| | - Grace O. Famodimu
- Spinal Cord Damage Research Center, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY USA
| | - Shammah K. Solomon
- grid.254498.60000 0001 2198 5185Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY USA ,grid.254498.60000 0001 2198 5185Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY USA
| | - Parul Agarwal
- grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Population Health Science & Policy, Institute for Health Care Delivery Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Manhattan, NY USA
| | - Noam Y. Harel
- Spinal Cord Damage Research Center, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, NY USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Population Health Science & Policy, Institute for Health Care Delivery Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Manhattan, NY USA
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY, USA. .,Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA. .,PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of The City University of New York and College of Staten Island, Manhattan & Staten Island, NY, USA.
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Skiadopoulos A, Famodimu GO, Solomon SK, Agrawal P, Harel NY, Knikou M. Priming locomotor training with transspinal stimulation in people with spinal cord injury: study protocol of a randomized clinical trial. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2527617. [PMID: 36824823 PMCID: PMC9949167 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2527617/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Background The seemingly simple tasks of standing and walking require continuous integration of complex spinal reflex circuits between descending motor commands and ascending sensory inputs. Spinal cord injury greatly impairs standing and walking ability, but both improve with locomotor training. However, even after multiple locomotor training sessions, abnormal muscle activity and coordination persist. Thus, locomotor training alone cannot fully optimize the neuronal plasticity required to strengthen the synapses connecting the brain, spinal cord, and local circuits and potentiate neuronal activity based on need. Transcutaneous spinal cord (transspinal) stimulation alters motoneuron excitability over multiple segments by bringing motoneurons closer to threshold, a prerequisite for effectively promoting spinal locomotor network neuromodulation and strengthening neural connectivity of the injured human spinal cord. Importantly, whether concurrent treatment with transspinal stimulation and locomotor training maximizes motor recovery after spinal cord injury is unknown. Methods Forty-five individuals with chronic spinal cord injury are receiving 40 sessions of robotic gait training primed with 30 Hz transspinal stimulation at the Thoracic 10 vertebral level. Participants are randomized to receive 30-minutes of active or sham transspinal stimulation during standing or active transspinal stimulation while supine followed by 30-minutes of robotic gait training. Over the course of locomotor training, the body weight support, treadmill speed, and leg guidance force are adjusted as needed for each participant based on absence of knee buckling during the stance phase and toe dragging during the swing phase. At baseline and after completion of all therapeutic sessions, neurophysiological recordings registering corticospinal and spinal neural excitability changes along with clinical assessment measures of standing and walking, and autonomic function via questionnaires regarding bowel, bladder and sexual function are taken. Discussion The results of this mechanistic randomized clinical trial will demonstrate that tonic transspinal stimulation strengthens corticomotoneuronal connectivity and dynamic neuromodulation through posture-dependent corticospinal and spinal neuroplasticity. We anticipate that this mechanistic clinical trial will greatly impact clinical practice because in real-world clinical settings, noninvasive transspinal stimulation can be more easily and widely implemented than invasive epidural stimulation. Additionally, by applying multiple interventions to accelerate motor recovery, we are employing a treatment regimen that reflects a true clinical approach. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04807764; Registered on March 19, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Parul Agrawal
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Department of Population Health Science and Policy
| | - Noam Y Harel
- James J Peters VAMC: James J Peters VA Medical Center
| | - Maria Knikou
- College of Staten Island School of Health Sciences
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Skiadopoulos A, Pulverenti TS, Knikou M. Physiological effects of cathodal electrode configuration for transspinal stimulation in humans. J Neurophysiol 2022; 128:1663-1682. [PMID: 36416443 PMCID: PMC9762966 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00342.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Transspinal stimulation modulates neuronal excitability and promotes recovery in upper motoneuron lesions. The recruitment input-output curves of transspinal evoked potentials (TEPs) recorded from knee and ankle muscles, and their susceptibility to spinal inhibition, were recorded when the position, size, and number of the cathode electrode were arranged in four settings or protocols (Ps). The four Ps were the following: 1) one rectangular electrode placed at midline (KNIKOU-LAB4Recovery or K-LAB4Recovery; P-KLAB), 2) one square electrode placed at midline (P-2), 3) two square electrodes 1 cm apart placed at midline (P-3), and 4) one square electrode placed on each paravertebral side (P-4). P-KLAB and P-3 required less current to reach TEP threshold or maximal amplitudes. A rightward shift in TEP recruitment curves was evident for P-4, whereas the slope was increased for P-2 and P-4 compared with P-KLAB and P-3. TEP depression upon single and paired transspinal stimuli was pronounced in ankle TEPs but was less prominent in knee TEPs. TEP depression induced by single transspinal stimuli at 1.0 Hz was similar for most TEPs across protocols, but TEP depression induced by paired transspinal stimuli was different between protocols and was replaced by facilitation at 100-ms interstimulus interval for P-4. Our results suggest that P-KLAB and P-3 are preferred based on excitability threshold of motoneurons. P-KLAB produced more TEP depression, thereby maximizing the engagement of spinal neuronal pathways. We recommend P-KLAB to study neurophysiological mechanisms underlying transspinal stimulation or when used as a neuromodulation method for recovery in neurological disorders.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Transspinal stimulation with a rectangular cathode electrode (P-KLAB) requires less current to produce transspinal evoked potentials and maximizes spinal inhibition. We recommend P-KLAB for neurophysiological studies or when used as a neuromodulation method to enhance motor output and normalize muscle tone in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Skiadopoulos
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, New York
| | - Timothy S Pulverenti
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, New York
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, New York
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, New York
- PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of The City University of New York and College of Staten Island, Staten Island, New York
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Pulverenti TS, Zaaya M, Grabowski E, Grabowski M, Knikou M. Brain and spinal cord paired stimulation coupled with locomotor training facilitates motor output in human spinal cord injury. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1000940. [PMID: 36313489 PMCID: PMC9612520 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1000940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Combined interventions for neuromodulation leading to neurorecovery have gained great attention by researchers to resemble clinical rehabilitation approaches. In this randomized clinical trial, we established changes in the net output of motoneurons innervating multiple leg muscles during stepping when transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the primary motor cortex was paired with transcutaneous spinal (transspinal) stimulation over the thoracolumbar region during locomotor training. TMS was delivered before (TMS-transspinal) or after (transspinal-TMS) transspinal stimulation during the stance phase of the less impaired leg. Ten individuals with chronic incomplete or complete SCI received at least 20 sessions of training. Each session consisted of 240 paired stimuli delivered over 10-min blocks for 1 h during robotic assisted step training on a motorized treadmill. Body weight support, leg guidance force and treadmill speed were adjusted based on each subject's ability to step without knee buckling or toe dragging. Most transspinal evoked potentials (TEPs) recorded before and after each intervention from ankle and knee muscles during assisted stepping were modulated in a phase-dependent pattern. Transspinal-TMS and locomotor training affected motor neuron output of knee and ankle muscles with ankle TEPs to be modulated in a phase-dependent manner. TMS-transspinal and locomotor training increased motor neuron output for knee but not for ankle muscles. Our results support that targeted brain and spinal cord stimulation alters responsiveness of neurons over multiple spinal segments in people with chronic SCI. Noninvasive stimulation of the brain and spinal cord along with locomotor training is a novel neuromodulation method that can become a promising modality for rehabilitation in humans after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy S. Pulverenti
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Morad Zaaya
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ewelina Grabowski
- PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York and College of Staten Island, New York, NY, United States
| | - Monika Grabowski
- PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York and College of Staten Island, New York, NY, United States
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Program, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States,PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York and College of Staten Island, New York, NY, United States,Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Maria Knikou
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Brain and spinal cord paired stimulation coupled with locomotor training affects polysynaptic flexion reflex circuits in human spinal cord injury. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:1687-1699. [PMID: 35513720 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06375-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurorecovery from locomotor training is well established in human spinal cord injury (SCI). However, neurorecovery resulting from combined interventions has not been widely studied. In this randomized clinical trial, we established the tibialis anterior (TA) flexion reflex modulation pattern when transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the primary motor cortex was paired with transcutaneous spinal cord (transspinal) stimulation over the thoracolumbar region during assisted step training. Single pulses of TMS were delivered either before (TMS-transspinal) or after (transspinal-TMS) transspinal stimulation during the stance phase of the less impaired leg. Eight individuals with chronic incomplete or complete SCI received at least 20 sessions of paired stimulation during assisted step training. Each session consisted of 240 paired stimuli delivered over 10-min blocks for 1 h during robotic-assisted step training with the Lokomat6 Pro®. Body weight support, leg guidance force and treadmill speed were adjusted based on each participant's ability to step without knee buckling or toe dragging. Both the early and late TA flexion reflex remained unaltered after TMS-transspinal and locomotor training. In contrast, the early and late TA flexion reflexes were significantly depressed during stepping after transspinal-TMS and locomotor training. Reflex changes occurred at similar slopes and intercepts before and after training. Our findings support that targeted brain and spinal cord stimulation coupled with locomotor training reorganizes the function of flexion reflex pathways, which are a part of locomotor networks, in humans with varying levels of sensorimotor function after SCI.Trial registration number NCT04624607; Registered on November 12, 2020.
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Zaaya M, Pulverenti TS, Knikou M. Transspinal stimulation and step training alter function of spinal networks in complete spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2021; 7:55. [PMID: 34218255 DOI: 10.1038/s41394-021-00421-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Pilot study (case series). OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to establish spinal neurophysiological changes following high-frequency transspinal stimulation during robot-assisted step training in individuals with chronic motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI). SETTING University research laboratory (Klab4Recovery). METHODS Four individuals with motor complete SCI received an average of 18 sessions of transspinal stimulation over the thoracolumbar region with a pulse train at 333 Hz during robotic-assisted step training. Each session lasted ~1 h, with an average of 240 stimulations delivered during each training session. Before and after the combined intervention, we evaluated the amplitude modulation of the long-latency tibialis anterior (TA) flexion reflex and transspinal evoked potentials (TEP) recorded from flexors and extensors during assisted stepping, and the TEP recruitment curves at rest. RESULTS The long-latency TA flexion reflex was depressed in all phases of the step cycle and the phase-dependent amplitude modulation of TEPs was altered during assisted stepping, while spinal motor output based on TEP recruitment curves was increased after the combined intervention. CONCLUSION This is the first study documenting noninvasive transspinal stimulation coupled with locomotor training depresses flexion reflex excitability and concomitantly increases motoneuron output over multiple spinal segments for both flexors and extensors in people with motor complete SCI. While both transspinal stimulation and locomotor training may act via similar activity-dependent neuroplasticity mechanisms, combined interventions for rehabilitation of neurological disorders has not been systematically assessed. Our current findings support locomotor training induced neuroplasticity may be augmented with transspinal stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morad Zaaya
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, New York, NY, USA
| | - Timothy S Pulverenti
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, New York, NY, USA.,PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of The City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
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11
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Islam MA, Pulverenti TS, Knikou M. Neuronal Actions of Transspinal Stimulation on Locomotor Networks and Reflex Excitability During Walking in Humans With and Without Spinal Cord Injury. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:620414. [PMID: 33679347 PMCID: PMC7930001 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.620414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the neuromodulatory effects of transspinal stimulation on soleus H-reflex excitability and electromyographic (EMG) activity during stepping in humans with and without spinal cord injury (SCI). Thirteen able-bodied adults and 5 individuals with SCI participated in the study. EMG activity from both legs was determined for steps without, during, and after a single-pulse or pulse train transspinal stimulation delivered during stepping randomly at different phases of the step cycle. The soleus H-reflex was recorded in both subject groups under control conditions and following single-pulse transspinal stimulation at an individualized exactly similar positive and negative conditioning-test interval. The EMG activity was decreased in both subject groups at the steps during transspinal stimulation, while intralimb and interlimb coordination were altered only in SCI subjects. At the steps immediately after transspinal stimulation, the physiological phase-dependent EMG modulation pattern remained unaffected in able-bodied subjects. The conditioned soleus H-reflex was depressed throughout the step cycle in both subject groups. Transspinal stimulation modulated depolarization of motoneurons over multiple segments, limb coordination, and soleus H-reflex excitability during assisted stepping. The soleus H-reflex depression may be the result of complex spinal inhibitory interneuronal circuits activated by transspinal stimulation and collision between orthodromic and antidromic volleys in the peripheral mixed nerve. The soleus H-reflex depression by transspinal stimulation suggests a potential application for normalization of spinal reflex excitability after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Anamul Islam
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Timothy S. Pulverenti
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
- PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of the City University of New York and College of Staten Island, New York, NY, United States
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Islam MA, Zaaya M, Comiskey E, Demetrio J, O’Keefe A, Palazzo N, Pulverenti TS, Knikou M. Modulation of soleus H-reflex excitability following cervical transspinal conditioning stimulation in humans. Neurosci Lett 2020; 732:135052. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Zaaya M, Pulverenti TS, Islam MA, Knikou M. Transspinal stimulation downregulates activity of flexor locomotor networks during walking in humans. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2020; 52:102420. [PMID: 32334377 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to establish the effects of transspinal stimulation on short-latency tibialis anterior (TA) flexion reflex during walking in healthy humans. Single pulse transspinal stimulation was delivered at a conditioning-test (C-T) interval either after (~20 ms) or simultaneously with the last pulse of the pulse train (0 ms) delivered to the medial arch of the right foot. Transspinal stimulation was delivered at sub- and supra-threshold intensities of the spinally-mediated TA transspinal evoked potential. Stimulation was delivered randomly at different phases of the step cycle, based on the foot switch threshold signal, which was divided into 16 equal bins. The TA flexion reflex facilitation under control conditions occurred at heel contact and then progressively from late stance phase reaching its peak at early and late swing phases. Transspinal stimulation at a negative and suprathreshold 0 ms C-T interval depressed flexion reflex excitability at all phases of the step cycle. The short-latency TA flexion reflex depression was possibly mediated through spinal inhibitory interneurons acting at both pre- and post- motoneuronal sites or by transspinal stimulation affecting directly the activity of the flexor half spinal center. These results reveal direct actions of transspinal stimulation on human spinal locomotor networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morad Zaaya
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Timothy S Pulverenti
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA.
| | - Md Anamul Islam
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Maria Knikou
- Klab4Recovery Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA; PhD Program in Biology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, Graduate Center of The City University of New York and College of Staten Island, New York, NY, USA
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