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Gouveia D, Carvalho C, Cardoso A, Gamboa Ó, Almeida A, Ferreira A, Martins Â. Early Locomotor Training in Tetraplegic Post-Surgical Dogs with Cervical Intervertebral Disc Disease. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182369. [PMID: 36139228 PMCID: PMC9495086 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182369] [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: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Locomotor training (LT) is task-specific repetitive training, with sensorimotor stimulation and intensive exercises that promote neuromuscular reorganization. This study aimed to observe if LT could be initiated safely in the first 3−15 days after surgery in tetraplegic C1−C5 IVDD—Hansen type I dogs. This prospective blinded clinical study was conducted at two rehabilitation centers in Portugal, with 114 grade 1 (MFS/OFS) dogs, divided by the presence of spinal hyperesthesia into the SHG (spinal hyperesthesia group) (n = 74) and the NSHG (non-spinal hyperesthesia group) (n = 40), evaluated in each time point for two weeks according to a neurorehabilitation checklist by three observers for inter-agreement relation. LT was safely applied with 62.3% of the OFS ≥ 11 within 15 days and of these, 32.4% achieved a OFS ≥ 13. There were no new cases of hyperesthesia in the NSHG and from the SHG all recovered. Comparing groups, a significant difference was observed in their ability to achieve ambulatory status (p < 0.001), between the presence of hyperesthesia and days until ambulation (p < 0.006) and in each time point (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.809). Early LT may be a safe treatment to be applied in the first 3 days on these dogs and spinal hyperesthesia should be important to the rehabilitation team. This study should be continued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Gouveia
- Arrábida Veterinary Hospital—Arrábida Animal Rehabilitation Center, 2925-538 Setubal, Portugal
- Superior School of Health, Protection and Animal Welfare, Polytechnic Institute of Lusophony, Campo Grande, 1950-396 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Carla Carvalho
- Arrábida Veterinary Hospital—Arrábida Animal Rehabilitation Center, 2925-538 Setubal, Portugal
| | - Ana Cardoso
- Arrábida Veterinary Hospital—Arrábida Animal Rehabilitation Center, 2925-538 Setubal, Portugal
| | - Óscar Gamboa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - António Almeida
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - António Ferreira
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- CIISA—Centro Interdisciplinar-Investigação em Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Av. Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ângela Martins
- Arrábida Veterinary Hospital—Arrábida Animal Rehabilitation Center, 2925-538 Setubal, Portugal
- Superior School of Health, Protection and Animal Welfare, Polytechnic Institute of Lusophony, Campo Grande, 1950-396 Lisboa, Portugal
- CIISA—Centro Interdisciplinar-Investigação em Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Av. Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
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Solopova IA, Selionov VA, Blinov EO, Dolinskaya IY, Zhvansky DS, Lacquaniti F, Ivanenko Y. Higher Responsiveness of Pattern Generation Circuitry to Sensory Stimulation in Healthy Humans Is Associated with a Larger Hoffmann Reflex. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11050707. [PMID: 35625435 PMCID: PMC9138260 DOI: 10.3390/biology11050707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Individual differences in the sensorimotor circuitry play an important role for understanding the nature of behavioral variability and developing personalized therapies. While the spinal network likely requires relatively rigid organization, it becomes increasingly evident that adaptability and inter-individual variability in the functioning of the neuronal circuitry is present not only in the brain but also in the spinal cord. In this study we investigated the relationship between the excitability of pattern generation circuitry and segmental reflexes in healthy humans. We found that the high individual responsiveness of pattern generation circuitries to tonic sensory input in both the upper and lower limbs was related to larger H-reflexes. The results provide further evidence for the importance of physiologically relevant assessments of spinal cord neuromodulation and the individual physiological state of reflex pathways. Abstract The state and excitability of pattern generators are attracting the increasing interest of neurophysiologists and clinicians for understanding the mechanisms of the rhythmogenesis and neuromodulation of the human spinal cord. It has been previously shown that tonic sensory stimulation can elicit non-voluntary stepping-like movements in non-injured subjects when their limbs were placed in a gravity-neutral unloading apparatus. However, large individual differences in responsiveness to such stimuli were observed, so that the effects of sensory neuromodulation manifest only in some of the subjects. Given that spinal reflexes are an integral part of the neuronal circuitry, here we investigated the extent to which spinal pattern generation excitability in response to the vibrostimulation of muscle proprioceptors can be related to the H-reflex magnitude, in both the lower and upper limbs. For the H-reflex measurements, three conditions were used: stationary limbs, voluntary limb movement and passive limb movement. The results showed that the H-reflex was considerably higher in the group of participants who demonstrated non-voluntary rhythmic responses than it was in the participants who did not demonstrate them. Our findings are consistent with the idea that spinal reflex measurements play important roles in assessing the rhythmogenesis of the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina A. Solopova
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, 127951 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.S.); (V.A.S.); (I.Y.D.); (D.S.Z.)
| | - Victor A. Selionov
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, 127951 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.S.); (V.A.S.); (I.Y.D.); (D.S.Z.)
| | - Egor O. Blinov
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia;
| | - Irina Y. Dolinskaya
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, 127951 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.S.); (V.A.S.); (I.Y.D.); (D.S.Z.)
- School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia;
| | - Dmitry S. Zhvansky
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, 127951 Moscow, Russia; (I.A.S.); (V.A.S.); (I.Y.D.); (D.S.Z.)
| | - Francesco Lacquaniti
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Systems Medicine and Center of Space Biomedicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Yury Ivanenko
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, 00179 Rome, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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Miranda DB, Neves Rocha Martins ÂP, Diniz R. Functional neurorehabilitation in a dog with acute non‐compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ângela Paula Neves Rocha Martins
- Functional Neurorehabilitation Department Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias Campo Grande Lisboa Portugal
- Centro de Reabilitação Animal da Arrábida, Hospital Veterinário da Arrábida R. José Augusto Coelho Azeitão Portugal
| | - Renata Diniz
- RehabilitaCans Carrer de Juan Gris Palma de Mallorca Baleares‐España Spain
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Martins Â, Gouveia D, Cardoso A, Carvalho C, Silva C, Coelho T, Gamboa Ó, Ferreira A. Functional Neurorehabilitation in Dogs with an Incomplete Recovery 3 Months following Intervertebral Disc Surgery: A Case Series. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082442. [PMID: 34438900 PMCID: PMC8388785 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A non-invasive neurorehabilitation multimodal protocol (NRMP) may be applicable to chronic T3-L3 dogs 3 months after undergoing surgery for acute Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) Hansen type I; this protocol has been shown to be safe, feasible, and potentially effective at improving ambulation in both open field score (OFS) 0 and OFS 1 dogs. The specific sample population criteria limit the number of dogs included, mainly due to owners withdrawing over time. Thus, the present case series study aimed to demonstrate that an NRMP could contribute to a functional treatment possibly based on synaptic and anatomic reorganization of the spinal cord. Abstract This case series study aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and positive outcome of the neurorehabilitation multimodal protocol (NRMP) in 16 chronic post-surgical IVDD Hansen type I dogs, with OFS 0/DPP− (n = 9) and OFS 1/DPP+ (n = 7). All were enrolled in the NRMP for a maximum of 90 days and were clinically discharged after achieving ambulation. The NRMP was based on locomotor training, functional electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation, and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) pharmacological management. In the Deep Pain Perception (DPP)+ dogs, 100% recovered ambulation within a mean period of 47 days, reaching OFS ≥11, which suggests that a longer period of time is needed for recovery. At follow-up, all dogs presented a positive evolution with voluntary micturition. Of the DPP− dogs admitted, all achieved a flexion/extension locomotor pattern within 30 days, and after starting the 4-AP, two dogs were discharged at outcome day 45, with 78% obtaining Spinal Reflex Locomotion (SRL) and automatic micturition within a mean period of 62 days. At follow-up, all dogs maintained their neurological status. After the NRMP, ambulatory status was achieved in 88% (14/16) of dogs, without concurrent events. Thus, an NRMP may be an important therapeutic option to reduce the need for euthanasia in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ângela Martins
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Animal Rehabilitation Center, Arrábida Veterinary Hospital, Azeitão, 2925-583 Setúbal, Portugal; (D.G.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (C.S.); (T.C.)
- CIISA—Centro Interdisciplinar-Investigação em Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Av. Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Superior School of Health, Protection and Animal Welfare, Polytechnic Institute of Lusophony, Campo Grande, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Débora Gouveia
- Animal Rehabilitation Center, Arrábida Veterinary Hospital, Azeitão, 2925-583 Setúbal, Portugal; (D.G.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (C.S.); (T.C.)
- Superior School of Health, Protection and Animal Welfare, Polytechnic Institute of Lusophony, Campo Grande, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ana Cardoso
- Animal Rehabilitation Center, Arrábida Veterinary Hospital, Azeitão, 2925-583 Setúbal, Portugal; (D.G.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (C.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Carla Carvalho
- Animal Rehabilitation Center, Arrábida Veterinary Hospital, Azeitão, 2925-583 Setúbal, Portugal; (D.G.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (C.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Cátia Silva
- Animal Rehabilitation Center, Arrábida Veterinary Hospital, Azeitão, 2925-583 Setúbal, Portugal; (D.G.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (C.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Tiago Coelho
- Animal Rehabilitation Center, Arrábida Veterinary Hospital, Azeitão, 2925-583 Setúbal, Portugal; (D.G.); (A.C.); (C.C.); (C.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Óscar Gamboa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal;
| | - António Ferreira
- CIISA—Centro Interdisciplinar-Investigação em Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Av. Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal;
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal;
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Martins Â, Gouveia D, Cardoso A, Gamboa Ó, Millis D, Ferreira A. Nervous system modulation through electrical stimulation in companion animals. Acta Vet Scand 2021; 63:22. [PMID: 34053462 PMCID: PMC8167506 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-021-00585-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic animals with severe spontaneous spinal cord injury (SCI), including dogs and cats that are deep pain perception negative (DPP-), can benefit from specific evaluations involving neurorehabilitation integrative protocols. In human medicine, patients without deep pain sensation, classified as grade A on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale, can recover after multidisciplinary approaches that include rehabilitation modalities, such as functional electrical stimulation (FES), transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation (TESCS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS). This review intends to explore the history, biophysics, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy and the parameters of FES, TESCS, and TDCS, as safe and noninvasive rehabilitation modalities applied in the veterinary field. Additional studies need to be conducted in clinical settings to successfully implement these guidelines in dogs and cats.
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Dutta S, Parihar A, Khanna A, Gomez J, Chakraborty W, Jerry M, Grisafe B, Raychowdhury A, Datta S. Programmable coupled oscillators for synchronized locomotion. Nat Commun 2019; 10:3299. [PMID: 31341167 PMCID: PMC6656780 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11198-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The striking similarity between biological locomotion gaits and the evolution of phase patterns in coupled oscillatory network can be traced to the role of central pattern generator located in the spinal cord. Bio-inspired robotics aim at harnessing this control approach for generation of rhythmic patterns for synchronized limb movement. Here, we utilize the phenomenon of synchronization and emergent spatiotemporal pattern from the interaction among coupled oscillators to generate a range of locomotion gait patterns. We experimentally demonstrate a central pattern generator network using capacitively coupled Vanadium Dioxide nano-oscillators. The coupled oscillators exhibit stable limit-cycle oscillations and tunable natural frequencies for real-time programmability of phase-pattern. The ultra-compact 1 Transistor-1 Resistor implementation of oscillator and bidirectional capacitive coupling allow small footprint area and low operating power. Compared to biomimetic CMOS based neuron and synapse models, our design simplifies on-chip implementation and real-time tunability by reducing the number of control parameters. Designing alternative paradigms for bio-inspired analog computing that harnesses collective dynamics remains a challenge. Here, the authors exploit the synchronization dynamics of coupled vanadium dioxide-based insulator-to-metal phase-transition nano-oscillators for adaptive locomotion control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Dutta
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
| | - Abhinav Parihar
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Abhishek Khanna
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Jorge Gomez
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Wriddhi Chakraborty
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Matthew Jerry
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Benjamin Grisafe
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Arijit Raychowdhury
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Suman Datta
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
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Synergistic influences of sensory and central stimuli on non-voluntary rhythmic arm movements. Hum Mov Sci 2019; 64:230-239. [PMID: 30798047 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, neuromodulation of the cervical spinal circuitry has become an area of interest for investigating rhythmogenesis of the human spinal cord and interaction between cervical and lumbosacral circuitries, given the involvement of rhythmic arm muscle activity in many locomotor tasks. We have previously shown that arm muscle vibrostimulation can elicit non-voluntary upper limb oscillations in unloading body conditions. Here we investigated the excitability of the cervical spinal circuitry by applying different peripheral and central stimuli in healthy humans. The rationale for applying combined stimuli is that the efficiency of only one stimulus is generally limited. We found that low-intensity electrical stimulation of the superficial arm median nerve can evoke rhythmic arm movements. Furthermore, the movements were enhanced by additional peripheral stimuli (e.g., arm muscle vibration, head turns or passive rhythmic leg movements). Finally, low-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex significantly facilitated rhythmogenesis. The findings are discussed in the general framework of a brain-spinal interface for developing adaptive central pattern generator-modulating therapies.
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Klarner T, Zehr EP. Sherlock Holmes and the curious case of the human locomotor central pattern generator. J Neurophysiol 2018. [PMID: 29537920 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00554.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence first described in reduced animal models over 100 years ago led to deductions about the control of locomotion through spinal locomotor central pattern-generating (CPG) networks. These discoveries in nature were contemporaneous with another form of deductive reasoning found in popular culture, that of Arthur Conan Doyle's detective, Sherlock Holmes. Because the invasive methods used in reduced nonhuman animal preparations are not amenable to study in humans, we are left instead with deducing from other measures and observations. Using the deductive reasoning approach of Sherlock Holmes as a metaphor for framing research into human CPGs, we speculate and weigh the evidence that should be observable in humans based on knowledge from other species. This review summarizes indirect inference to assess "observable evidence" of pattern-generating activity that leads to the logical deduction of CPG contributions to arm and leg activity during locomotion in humans. The question of where a CPG may be housed in the human nervous system remains incompletely resolved at this time. Ongoing understanding, elaboration, and application of functioning locomotor CPGs in humans is important for gait rehabilitation strategies in those with neurological injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taryn Klarner
- Rehabilitation Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Victoria , Victoria, British Columbia , Canada.,Human Discovery Science, International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries , Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada.,Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria , Victoria, British Columbia , Canada
| | - E Paul Zehr
- Rehabilitation Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Victoria , Victoria, British Columbia , Canada.,Human Discovery Science, International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries , Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada.,Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria , Victoria, British Columbia , Canada.,Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Rhythmic wrist movements facilitate the soleus H-reflex and non-voluntary air-stepping in humans. Neurosci Lett 2017; 638:39-45. [PMID: 27931775 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 11/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Neural coupling between the upper and lower limbs during human walking is supported by modulation of cross-limb reflexes and the presence of rhythmic activity in the proximal arm muscles. Nevertheless, the involvement of distal arm muscles in cyclic movements and sensorimotor neuromodulation is also suggested given their step-synchronized activation in many locomotor-related tasks (e.g., swimming, skiing, climbing, cycling, crawling, etc.). Here we investigated the effect of rhythmic wrist movements, separately and in conjunction with arm swinging, on the characteristics of non-voluntary cyclic leg movements evoked by muscle vibration in a gravity neutral position and on the soleus H-reflex of the stationary legs. For the H-reflex modulation, five conditions were compared: stationary arms, voluntary alternating upper limb swinging, combined upper limb and wrist motion, wrist movements only and motion of the upper limbs with addition of load. Rhythmic wrist movements significantly facilitated the amplitude of non-voluntary leg oscillations, including ankle joint oscillations, and the H-reflex. The latter effect was related to rhythmicity of wrist motion rather than to a simple extra tension in the upper limb muscles (a kind of the Jendrassik manoeuvre) since adding resistance to arm oscillations (without flexion-extension in the wrist joint) had an opposite inhibitory effect on the H-reflex. Our results further support the existence of connections between the distal parts of the upper and lower extremities at the neural level, suggesting that wrist joint movements can be an important component of motor neurorehabilitation.
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Solopova IA, Selionov VA, Zhvansky DS, Gurfinkel VS, Ivanenko Y. Human cervical spinal cord circuitry activated by tonic input can generate rhythmic arm movements. J Neurophysiol 2015; 115:1018-30. [PMID: 26683072 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00897.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The coordination between arms and legs during human locomotion shares many features with that in quadrupeds, yet there is limited evidence for the central pattern generator for the upper limbs in humans. Here we investigated whether different types of tonic stimulation, previously used for eliciting stepping-like leg movements, may evoke nonvoluntary rhythmic arm movements. Twenty healthy subjects participated in this study. The subject was lying on the side, the trunk was fixed, and all four limbs were suspended in a gravity neutral position, allowing unrestricted low-friction limb movements in the horizontal plane. The results showed that peripheral sensory stimulation (continuous muscle vibration) and central tonic activation (postcontraction state of neuronal networks following a long-lasting isometric voluntary effort, Kohnstamm phenomenon) could evoke nonvoluntary rhythmic arm movements in most subjects. In ∼40% of subjects, tonic stimulation elicited nonvoluntary rhythmic arm movements together with rhythmic movements of suspended legs. The fact that not all participants exhibited nonvoluntary limb oscillations may reflect interindividual differences in responsiveness of spinal pattern generation circuitry to its activation. The occurrence and the characteristics of induced movements highlight the rhythmogenesis capacity of cervical neuronal circuitries, complementing the growing body of work on the quadrupedal nature of human gait.
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Affiliation(s)
- I A Solopova
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia;
| | - V A Selionov
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
| | - D S Zhvansky
- Laboratory of Neurobiology of Motor Control, Institute for Information Transmission Problems, Moscow, Russia
| | - V S Gurfinkel
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon; and
| | - Y Ivanenko
- Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Sczesny-Kaiser M, Höffken O, Aach M, Cruciger O, Grasmücke D, Meindl R, Schildhauer TA, Schwenkreis P, Tegenthoff M. HAL® exoskeleton training improves walking parameters and normalizes cortical excitability in primary somatosensory cortex in spinal cord injury patients. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2015; 12:68. [PMID: 26289818 PMCID: PMC4545929 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-015-0058-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reorganization in the sensorimotor cortex accompanied by increased excitability and enlarged body representations is a consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). Robotic-assisted bodyweight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) was hypothesized to induce reorganization and improve walking function. OBJECTIVE To assess whether BWSTT with hybrid assistive limb® (HAL®) exoskeleton affects cortical excitability in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in SCI patients, as measured by paired-pulse somatosensory evoked potentials (ppSEP) stimulated above the level of injury. METHODS Eleven SCI patients took part in HAL® assisted BWSTT for 3 months. PpSEP were conducted before and after this training period, where the amplitude ratios (SEP amplitude following double pulses - SEP amplitude following single pulses) were assessed and compared to eleven healthy control subjects. To assess improvement in walking function, we used the 10-m walk test, timed-up-and-go test, the 6-min walk test, and the lower extremity motor score. RESULTS PpSEPs were significantly increased in SCI patients as compared to controls at baseline. Following training, ppSEPs were increased from baseline and no longer significantly differed from controls. Walking parameters also showed significant improvements, yet there was no significant correlation between ppSEP measures and walking parameters. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that robotic-assisted BWSTT with HAL® in SCI patients is capable of inducing cortical plasticity following highly repetitive, active locomotive use of paretic legs. While there was no significant correlation of excitability with walking parameters, brain areas other than S1 might reflect improvement of walking functions. EEG and neuroimaging studies may provide further information about supraspinal plastic processes and foci in SCI rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Sczesny-Kaiser
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Oliver Höffken
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Mirko Aach
- Department of Spinal Cord Injuries, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Oliver Cruciger
- Department of General and Trauma Surgery, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Dennis Grasmücke
- Department of General and Trauma Surgery, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Renate Meindl
- Department of Spinal Cord Injuries, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Thomas A Schildhauer
- Department of General and Trauma Surgery, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Peter Schwenkreis
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
| | - Martin Tegenthoff
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany.
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