Sekiguchi Y, Muramatsu K, Tamaki T, Ikutomo M, Kurosawa K. Motor cortex somatotopic presentation after restriction of neck movement in rats.
J Phys Ther Sci 2019;
31:785-789. [PMID:
31645807 PMCID:
PMC6801342 DOI:
10.1589/jpts.31.785]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
[Purpose] In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of neck movement
restriction on somatotopic mapping of the motor cortex. We restricted cervical extension
for two weeks and investigated the effects on motor cortex somatic representation in rats.
[Subjects and Methods] We placed six Wistar rats into each of three groups: (i) the
experimental group, in which cervical extension was restricted; (ii) the sham group, in
which cervical movement was not restricted, but a splint was placed in the shoulder
girdle; and (iii) the control group. After cervical immobilization for two weeks, we
evaluated the motor cortex somatic representation using intra-cortical micro-stimulation.
[Results] In the experimental group, the areas of the cervical and vibrissal domains of
the motor cortex decreased by approximately 50%, and the forelimb domain showed slight
reduction. In addition, a trunk domain formed at the locus of the vibrissal area. There
were no differences between the sham and control groups. [Conclusion] Restriction of
cervical extension for two weeks resulted in changes in motor cortex somatic
representation. Reversible changes occurred in cortical areas that controlled the neck and
parts of the body involved in cervical movement.
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