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Matsubayashi K, Shinozaki M, Hata J, Komaki Y, Nagoshi N, Tsuji O, Fujiyoshi K, Nakamura M, Okano H. A shift of brain network hub after spinal cord injury. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1245902. [PMID: 37915973 PMCID: PMC10616864 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1245902] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes severe sequelae and significant social loss, depending on the extent of the damage. Most previous studies have focused on the pathology of the spinal cord to develop treatments for SCI. However, it is now known that the brain, which is not directly damaged, also undergoes morphological changes after spinal cord injury, which could affect natural recovery and treatment. In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been developed to analyze functional changes in the brain. Resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI), which captures brain activity at rest, can calculate functional connections between brain areas and identify central hubs by network analysis. Purpose We aim to investigate functional connectivity in the brain using rsfMRI after SCI and to determine how brain-network main hubs change over time. Methods We evaluated rsfMRI in 10 mice of the contusional SCI model and calculated connectivity using graph theory. We evaluated "centrality," a representative parameter of network analysis. The subtype of centrality was degree centrality, which indicates the hub function of a single area. The five times of rsfMRI were performed in each individual mouse: before injury and at 1, 3, 7, and 14 weeks post-injury. Results Before the injury, the degree centralities of the primary and secondary motor cortex were high, suggesting that these motor cortices served as main hubs for motor function. After SCI, the hub function of the motor cortices decreased by 14 weeks. In contrast, hub function in the external capsule and the putamen comparatively increased with time after injury, suggesting that the extrapyramidal/subcortical system, which runs the ventral side of the spinal cord and remains after injury in this model, becomes dominant. Conclusion We demonstrated the shift of the brain network hub after SCI. The results of this study provide basic information for understanding brain network changes after SCI and would be useful for treatment selection and evaluation of its efficacy in SCI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Matsubayashi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Munehisa Shinozaki
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Junichi Hata
- Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuji Komaki
- Live Animal Imaging Center, Central Institute for Experimental Animals, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Narihito Nagoshi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Osahiko Tsuji
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kanehiro Fujiyoshi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Murayama Medical Center (NHO), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaya Nakamura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan
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Rao JS, Zhao C, Wei RH, Feng T, Bao SS, Zhao W, Tian Z, Liu Z, Yang ZY, Li XG. Neural regeneration therapy after spinal cord injury induces unique brain functional reorganizations in rhesus monkeys. Ann Med 2022; 54:1867-1883. [PMID: 35792748 PMCID: PMC9272921 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2089728] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Spinal cord injury (SCI) destroys the sensorimotor pathway and induces brain plasticity. However, the effect of treatment-induced spinal cord tissue regeneration on brain functional reorganization remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate the large-scale functional interactions in the brains of adult female Rhesus monkeys with injured and regenerated thoracic spinal cord. MATERIALS AND METHODS Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) combined with Granger Causality analysis (GCA) and motor behaviour analysis were used to assess the causal interaction between sensorimotor cortices, and calculate the relationship between causal interaction and hindlimb stepping in nine Rhesus monkeys undergoing lesion-induced spontaneous recovery (injured, n = 4) and neurotrophin-3/chitosan transplantation-induced regeneration (NT3-chitosan, n = 5) after SCI. RESULTS The results showed that the injured and NT3-chitosan-treated animals had distinct spatiotemporal features of brain functional reorganization. The spontaneous recovery followed the model of "early intra-hemispheric reorganization dominant, late inter-hemispheric reorganization dominant", whereas regenerative therapy animals showed the opposite trend. Although the variation degree of information flow intensity was consistent, the tendency and the relationship between local neuronal activity properties and coupling strength were different between the two groups. In addition, the injured and NT3-chitosan-treated animals had similar motor adjustments but various relationship modes between motor performance and information flow intensity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that brain functional reorganization induced by regeneration therapy differed from spontaneous recovery after SCI. The influence of unique changes in brain plasticity on the therapeutic effects of future regeneration therapy strategies should be considered. Key messagesNeural regeneration elicited a unique spatiotemporal mode of brain functional reorganization in the spinal cord injured monkeys, and that regeneration does not simply reverse the process of brain plasticity induced by spinal cord injury (SCI).Independent "properties of local activity - intensity of information flow" relationships between the injured and treated animals indicating that spontaneous recovery and regenerative therapy exerted different effects on the reorganization of the motor network after SCI.A specific information flow from the left thalamus to the right insular can serve as an indicator to reflect a heterogeneous "information flow - motor performance" relationship between injured and treated animals at similar motor adjustments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Sheng Rao
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Can Zhao
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering, China Rehabilitation Science Institute, Beijing, PR China
| | - Rui-Han Wei
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Ting Feng
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Shu-Sheng Bao
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Wen Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhaolong Tian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zuxiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei, PR China.,Department of Biology, College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Zhao-Yang Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiao-Guang Li
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, PR China
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Nakazawa K. Brain Reorganization and Neural Plasticity in Elite Athletes With Physical Impairments. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2022; 50:118-127. [PMID: 35175230 PMCID: PMC9197146 DOI: 10.1249/jes.0000000000000288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Use-dependent and impairment-specific brain plasticity are hypothesized to interact and enhance neural reorganization in the central nervous system (CNS) of athletes with physical impairments. Paralympic brain studies are helpful in achieving a fundamental understanding of the underlying neural mechanism related to CNS reorganization after physical therapy or athletic training. Information learned from these individuals also provides new insights into sports- and rehabilitation-related neuroscience.
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Štětkářová I, Keller J. Modulation of Motor Cortex Activity After Intrathecal Baclofen Delivery in Chronic Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury. Front Neurol 2022; 13:778697. [PMID: 35645987 PMCID: PMC9136289 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.778697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesIntrathecal baclofen (ITB) is commonly used for reduction of spasticity in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Its clinical effect is well-known; however, exact mechanisms of long-term effect of continuous ITB administration (cITBa) on modulation of cortical processes have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in motor cortex activation for healthy upper limbs in comparison to impaired lower limbs by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).MethodsTen subjects (eight males, 20–69 years) with thoracic SCI presenting no voluntary movements of lower limbs (except one) were enrolled in the fMRI study. fMRI at 1.5T with a finger tapping paradigm and mental movement simulating foot flexion on the dominant side were performed before, 3 months, and 1 year after start of cITBa. fMRI data processing was carried out using FMRI Expert Analysis Tool (FEAT), part of FSL. A second-level analysis was carried out using FLAME stages 1 and 2. The level of spasticity was assessed with the Modified Ashworth scale (MAS).ResultsContinuous ITB significantly decreased limb spasticity in all the subjects (group MAS spasticity dropped from 3 to 0.3). The second-level analysis (Z > 1.6, cluster significance threshold p =0.05) revealed increased activation of the primary sensorimotor cortex of the foot between baseline and 3 months, and 3 months and 1 year.ConclusionIncreased sensorimotor cortex activation with spasticity reduction after cITBa may reflect distant functional reorganization because of long-term mediated neuroplastic changes in the sensorimotor cortex. Better understanding of modulation of brain function in SCI after cITBa may influence the field of neurorehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Štětkářová
- Department of Neurology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Královské Vinohrady University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Ivana Štětkářová
| | - Jiří Keller
- Department of Neurology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Královské Vinohrady University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
- Department of Radiology, Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czechia
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Bao SS, Zhao C, Chen HW, Feng T, Guo XJ, Xu M, Rao JS. NT3 treatment alters spinal cord injury-induced changes in the gray matter volume of rhesus monkey cortex. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5919. [PMID: 35396344 PMCID: PMC8993853 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09981-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) may cause structural alterations in brain due to pathophysiological processes, but the effects of SCI treatment on brain have rarely been reported. Here, voxel-based morphometry is employed to investigate the effects of SCI and neurotrophin-3 (NT3) coupled chitosan-induced regeneration on brain and spinal cord structures in rhesus monkeys. Possible association between brain and spinal cord structural alterations is explored. The pain sensitivity and stepping ability of animals are collected to evaluate sensorimotor functional alterations. Compared with SCI, the unique effects of NT3 treatment on brain structure appear in extensive regions which involved in motor control and neuropathic pain, such as right visual cortex, superior parietal lobule, left superior frontal gyrus (SFG), middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, insula, secondary somatosensory cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and bilateral caudate nucleus. Particularly, the structure of insula is significantly correlated with the pain sensitivity. Regenerative treatment also shows a protective effect on spinal cord structure. The associations between brain and spinal cord structural alterations are observed in right primary somatosensory cortex, SFG, and other regions. These results help further elucidate secondary effects on brain of SCI and provide a basis for evaluating the effects of NT3 treatment on brain structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Sheng Bao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Can Zhao
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering, China Rehabilitation Science Institute, Beijing, 100068, China. .,School of Rehabilitation, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100068, China.
| | - Hao-Wei Chen
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Ting Feng
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Meng Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Jia-Sheng Rao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Neural Regeneration, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China.
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