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Weiser M, Stoy L, Lallo V, Balasubramanian S, Singh A. The Efficacy of Body-Weight Supported Treadmill Training and Neurotrophin-Releasing Scaffold in Minimizing Bone Loss Following Spinal Cord Injury. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:819. [PMID: 39199776 PMCID: PMC11351937 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11080819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to significant bone loss below the level of the lesion increasing the risk of fracture and increased morbidity. Body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) and transplantation strategies using neurotrophins have been shown to improve motor function after SCI. While rehabilitation training including BWSTT has also been effective in reducing bone loss post-SCI, the effects of transplantation therapies in bone restoration are not fully understood. Furthermore, the effects of a combinational treatment strategy on bone post-SCI also remain unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a combination therapy including transplantation of scaffold-releasing neurotrophins and BWSTT on the forelimb and hindlimb bones of a T9-T10 contused SCI animals. Humerus and tibia bones were harvested for Micro-CT scanning and a three-point bending test from four animal groups, namely injury, BWSTT (injury with BWSTT), scaffold (injury with scaffold-releasing neurotrophins), and combinational (injury treated with scaffold-releasing neurotrophins and BWSTT). BWSTT and combinational groups reported higher biomechanical properties in the tibial bone (below injury level) and lower biomechanical properties in the humerus bone (above injury level) when compared to the injury and scaffold groups. Studied structural parameters, including the cortical thickness and bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) were also higher in the tibia and lower in the humerus bones of BWSTT and combinational groups when compared to the injury and scaffold groups. While no significant differences were observed, this study is the first to report the effects of a combinational treatment strategy on bone loss in contused SCI animals and can help guide future interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Weiser
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Lindsay Stoy
- Biomedical Engineering, Widener University, Chester, PA 19103, USA
| | - Valerie Lallo
- Biomedical Engineering, Widener University, Chester, PA 19103, USA
| | - Sriram Balasubramanian
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Anita Singh
- Bioengineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
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2
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Su H, Luo H, Wang Y, Zhao Q, Zhang Q, Zhu Y, Pan L, Liu Y, Yang C, Yin Y, Tan B. Myelin repair of spinal cord injury in adult mice induced by treadmill training upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha. Glia 2024; 72:607-624. [PMID: 38031815 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24493] [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: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence has proven the efficacy of physical exercise in remyelination and motor function performance after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the molecular mechanisms of treadmill training on myelin repair and functional recovery after SCI have not yet been fully studied. Here, we explored the effect of treadmill training on upregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1α)-mediated myelin repair and functional recovery in a mouse model of thoracic T10 contusion injury. A 4-week treadmill training scheme was conducted on mice with SCI. The expression levels of oligodendrogenesis-related protein and PGC1α were detected by immunofluorescence, RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization and western blotting. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe myelin structure. The Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) and CatWalk automated gait analysis system were used for motor function recovery evaluation. Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were also identified. In addition, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated PGC1α knockdown in OLs was used to further unravel the role of PGC1α in exercise-induced remyelination. We found that treadmill training boosts oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) proliferation, potentiates oligodendrocytes (OLs) maturation, and increases myelin-related protein and myelin sheath thickness, thus impelling myelin repair and hindlimb functional performance as well as the speed and amplitude of nerve conduction after SCI. Additionally, downregulating PGC1α through AAV attenuated these positive effects of treadmill training. Collectively, our results suggest that treadmill training enhances remyelination and functional recovery by upregulating PGC1α, which should provide a step forward in the understanding of the effects of physical exercise on myelin repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Su
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haodong Luo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yunhang Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injuries, Department of Special Environment War Wound Prevention and Treatment, Institute of Surgery Research, Army Medical Center of PLA, Chongqing, China
| | - Lu Pan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injuries, Department of Special Environment War Wound Prevention and Treatment, Institute of Surgery Research, Army Medical Center of PLA, Chongqing, China
| | - Ce Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injuries, Department of Special Environment War Wound Prevention and Treatment, Institute of Surgery Research, Army Medical Center of PLA, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Yin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Botao Tan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Sydney-Smith JD, Koltchev AM, Moon LDF, Warren PM. Delayed viral vector mediated delivery of neurotrophin-3 improves skilled hindlimb function and stability after thoracic contusion. Exp Neurol 2023; 360:114278. [PMID: 36455639 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114278] [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: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Intramuscular injection of an Adeno-associated viral vector serotype 1 (AAV1) encoding Neurotrophin-3 (NT3) into hindlimb muscles 24 h after a severe T9 spinal level contusion in rats has been shown to induce lumbar spinal neuroplasticity, partially restore locomotive function and reduce spasms during swimming. Here we investigate whether a targeted delivery of NT3 to lumbar and thoracic motor neurons 48 h following a severe contusive injury aids locomotive recovery in rats. AAV1-NT3 was injected bilaterally into the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and rectus abdominus muscles 48-h following trauma, persistently elevating serum levels of the neurotrophin. NT3 modestly improved trunk stability, accuracy of stepping during skilled locomotion, and alternation of the hindlimbs during swimming, but it had no effect on gross locomotor function in the open field. The number of vGlut1+ boutons, likely arising from proprioceptive afferents, on gastrocnemius α-motor neurons was increased after injury but normalised following NT3 treatment, suggestive of a mechanism in which functional benefits may be mediated through proprioceptive feedback. Ex vivo MRI revealed substantial loss of grey and white matter at the lesion epicentre but no effect of delayed NT3 treatment to induce neuroprotection. Lower body spasms and hyperreflexia of an intrinsic paw muscle were not reliably induced in this severe injury model suggesting a more complex anatomical or physiological cause to their induction. We have shown that delayed intramuscular AAV-NT3 treatment can promote recovery in skilled stepping and coordinated swimming, supporting a role for NT3 as a therapeutic strategy for spinal injuries potentially through modulation of somatosensory feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared D Sydney-Smith
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Alice M Koltchev
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Lawrence D F Moon
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Philippa M Warren
- The Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK.
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Barham M, Andermahr J, Majczyński H, Sławińska U, Vogt J, Neiss WF. Treadmill training of rats after sciatic nerve graft does not alter accuracy of muscle reinnervation. Front Neurol 2023; 13:1050822. [PMID: 36742044 PMCID: PMC9893025 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1050822] [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: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose After peripheral nerve lesions, surgical reconstruction facilitates axonal regeneration and motor reinnervation. However, functional recovery is impaired by aberrant reinnervation. Materials and methods We tested whether training therapy by treadmill exercise (9 × 250 m/week) before (run-idle), after (idle-run), or both before and after (run-run) sciatic nerve graft improves the accuracy of reinnervation in rats. Female Lewis rats (LEW/SsNHsd) were either trained for 12 weeks (run) or not trained (kept under control conditions, idle). The right sciatic nerves were then excised and reconstructed with 5 mm of a congenic allograft. One week later, training started in the run-run and idle-run groups for another 12 weeks. No further training was conducted in the run-idle and idle-idle groups. Reinnervation was measured using the following parameters: counting of retrogradely labeled motoneurons, walking track analysis, and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) recordings. Results In intact rats, the common fibular (peroneal) and the soleus nerve received axons from 549 ± 83 motoneurons. In the run-idle group, 94% of these motoneurons had regenerated 13 weeks after the nerve graft. In the idle-run group, 81% of the normal number of motoneurons had regenerated into the denervated musculature and 87% in both run-run and idle-idle groups. Despite reinnervation, functional outcome was poor: walking tracks indicated no functional improvement of motion in any group. However, in the operated hindlimb of run-idle rats, the CMAP of the soleus muscle reached 11.9 mV (normal 16.3 mV), yet only 6.3-8.1 mV in the other groups. Conclusion Treadmill training neither altered the accuracy of reinnervation nor the functional recovery, and pre-operative training (run-idle) led to a higher motor unit activation after regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Barham
- Department II of Anatomy, University of Cologne and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,*Correspondence: Mohammed Barham ✉
| | | | - Henryk Majczyński
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Urszula Sławińska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Johannes Vogt
- Department II of Anatomy, University of Cologne and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany,Cluster of Excellence for Aging Research (CECAD) and Center of Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Wolfram F. Neiss
- Department I of Anatomy, University of Cologne and University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Jarragh A, Shuaib A, Al-Khaledi G, Alotaibi F, Al-Sabah S, Masocha W. A custom-made weight-drop impactor to produce consistent spinal cord injury outcomes in a rat model. Transl Neurosci 2023; 14:20220287. [PMID: 37250141 PMCID: PMC10224629 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2022-0287] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The main objective of this study is to design a custom-made weight-drop impactor device to produce a consistent spinal cord contusion model in rats in order to examine the efficacy of potential therapies for post-traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Methods Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 24, 11 weeks old) were randomly divided equally into two groups: sham and injured. The consistent injury pattern was produced by a 10 g stainless steel rod dropped from a height of 30 mm to cause (0.75 mm) intended displacement to the dorsal surface of spinal cord. The neurological functional outcomes were assessed at different time intervals using the following standardized neurobehavioral tests: Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores, BBB open-field locomotion test, Louisville Swim Scale (LSS), and CatWalk gait analysis system. Results Hind limb functional parameters between the two groups using BBB scores and LSS were significantly different (p < 0.05). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the SCI group and the sham group for the hind limb functional parameters using the CatWalk gait analysis. Conclusion We developed an inexpensive custom-made SCI device that yields a precise adjustment of the height and displacement of the impact relative to the spinal cord surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Jarragh
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Ali Shuaib
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Engineering Unit, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Ghanim Al-Khaledi
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Fatima Alotaibi
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Sulaiman Al-Sabah
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Willias Masocha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
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Gouveia D, Cardoso A, Carvalho C, Almeida A, Gamboa Ó, Ferreira A, Martins Â. Approach to Small Animal Neurorehabilitation by Locomotor Training: An Update. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12243582. [PMID: 36552502 PMCID: PMC9774773 DOI: 10.3390/ani12243582] [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: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurorehabilitation has a wide range of therapies to achieve neural regeneration, reorganization, and repair (e.g., axon regeneration, remyelination, and restoration of spinal circuits and networks) to achieve ambulation for dogs and cats, especially for grade 1 (modified Frankel scale) with signs of spinal shock or grade 0 (deep pain negative), similar to humans classified with ASIA A lesions. This review aims to explain what locomotor training is, its importance, its feasibility within a clinical setting, and some possible protocols for motor recovery, achieving ambulation with coordinated and modulated movements. In addition, it cites some of the primary key points that must be present in the daily lives of veterinarians or rehabilitation nurses. These can be the guidelines to improve this exciting exercise necessary to achieve ambulation with quality of life. However, more research is essential in the future years.
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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
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Ana Cardoso
- Arrábida Veterinary Hospital—Arrábida Animal Rehabilitation Center, 2925-538 Setubal, Portugal
| | - Carla Carvalho
- Arrábida Veterinary Hospital—Arrábida Animal Rehabilitation Center, 2925-538 Setubal, Portugal
| | - António Almeida
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Óscar Gamboa
- 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-Investigaçāo em Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Av. Universi dade 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
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
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7
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Randelman M, Zholudeva LV, Vinit S, Lane MA. Respiratory Training and Plasticity After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:700821. [PMID: 34621156 PMCID: PMC8490715 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.700821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
While spinal cord injuries (SCIs) result in a vast array of functional deficits, many of which are life threatening, the majority of SCIs are anatomically incomplete. Spared neural pathways contribute to functional and anatomical neuroplasticity that can occur spontaneously, or can be harnessed using rehabilitative, electrophysiological, or pharmacological strategies. With a focus on respiratory networks that are affected by cervical level SCI, the present review summarizes how non-invasive respiratory treatments can be used to harness this neuroplastic potential and enhance long-term recovery. Specific attention is given to "respiratory training" strategies currently used clinically (e.g., strength training) and those being developed through pre-clinical and early clinical testing [e.g., intermittent chemical stimulation via altering inhaled oxygen (hypoxia) or carbon dioxide stimulation]. Consideration is also given to the effect of training on non-respiratory (e.g., locomotor) networks. This review highlights advances in this area of pre-clinical and translational research, with insight into future directions for enhancing plasticity and improving functional outcomes after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo Randelman
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Stéphane Vinit
- INSERM, END-ICAP, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Versailles, France
| | - Michael A Lane
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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8
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Torres-Espín A, Beaudry E, Fenrich K, Fouad K. Rehabilitative Training in Animal Models of Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2019; 35:1970-1985. [PMID: 30074874 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.5906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rehabilitative motor training is currently one of the most widely used approaches to promote moderate recovery following injuries of the central nervous system. Such training is generally applied in the clinical setting, whereas it is not standard in preclinical research. This is a concern as it is becoming increasingly apparent that neuroplasticity enhancing treatments require training or some form of activity as a co-therapy to promote functional recovery. Despite the importance of training and the many open questions regarding its mechanistic consequences, its use in preclinical animal models is rather limited. Here we review approaches, findings and challenges when training is applied in animal models of spinal cord injury, and we suggest recommendations to facilitate the integration of training using an appropriate study design, into pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abel Torres-Espín
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Eric Beaudry
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Karim Fouad
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Alberta , Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Crowley ST, Kataoka K, Itaka K. Combined CatWalk Index: an improved method to measure mouse motor function using the automated gait analysis system. BMC Res Notes 2018; 11:263. [PMID: 29703265 PMCID: PMC5924449 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3374-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Measuring motor function in mice is important for studying models of spinal cord injury (SCI) or other diseases. Several methods exist based on visual observation of mice moving in an open field. Though these methods require very little equipment, observers must be trained, and the possibility of human error or subjectivity cannot be eliminated. The Noldus CatWalk XT Automated Gait Analysis system assesses mouse motor function by taking high-resolution videos of the mice, with specialized software to measure several aspects of the animal’s gait. This instrument reduces the possibility of human error, but it is not always clear what data is important for assessing motor function. This study used data collected during mouse SCI experiments to create a simple mathematical model that combines the data collected by the CatWalk system into a single score, the Combined CatWalk Index or CCI. Results The CCI system produces similar results to the Basso Mouse Scale or the CatWalk’s Step Sequence Regularity Index. However, the CCI has a significantly smaller coefficient of variation than either other method. Additionally, CCI scoring shows slightly better correlation with impact force. The CCI system is likely to be a useful tool for SCI research. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3374-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel T Crowley
- Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 2-10-3 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.,Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-Ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kataoka
- Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-Ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan
| | - Keiji Itaka
- Department of Biofunction Research, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 2-10-3 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan. .,Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion, 3-25-14 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-Ku, Kawasaki, 210-0821, Japan.
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10
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Kappos EA, Sieber PK, Engels PE, Mariolo AV, D'Arpa S, Schaefer DJ, Kalbermatten DF. Validity and reliability of the CatWalk system as a static and dynamic gait analysis tool for the assessment of functional nerve recovery in small animal models. Brain Behav 2017; 7:e00723. [PMID: 28729931 PMCID: PMC5516599 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A range of behavioral testing paradigms have been developed for the research of central and peripheral nerve injuries with the help of small animal models. Following any nerve repair strategy, improved functional outcome may be the most important evidence of axon regeneration. A novel automated gait analysis system, the CatWalk™, can measure dynamic as well as static gait patterns of small animals. Of most interest in detecting functional recovery are in particular dynamic gait parameters, coordination measures, and the intensity of the animals paw prints. This article is designed to lead to a more efficient choice of CatWalk parameters in future studies concerning the functional evaluation of nerve regeneration and simultaneously add to better interstudy comparability. METHODS The aims of the present paper are threefold: (1) to describe the functional method of CatWalk gait analysis, (2) to characterize different parameters acquired by CatWalk gait analysis, and to find the most frequently used parameters as well as (3) to compare their reliability and validity throughout the different studies. RESULTS In the reviewed articles, the most frequently used parameters were Swing Duration (30), Print Size (27), Stride Length (26), and Max Contact Area (24). Swing Duration was not only frequently used but was also the most reliable and valid parameter. Therefore, we hypothesize that Swing Duration constitutes an important parameter to be chosen for future studies, as it has the highest level of reliability and validity. CONCLUSION In conclusion, CatWalk can be used as a complementary approach to other behavioral testing paradigms to assess clinically relevant behavioral benefits, with the main advantage that this system demonstrates both static and dynamic gait parameters at the same time. Due to limited reliability and validity of certain parameters, we recommend that only the most frequently assessed parameters should be used in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth A Kappos
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery Department of Surgery University Hospital of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Division of Neuropathology Institute of Pathology University Hospital of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Patricia K Sieber
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery Department of Surgery University Hospital of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Division of Neuropathology Institute of Pathology University Hospital of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Patricia E Engels
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery Department of Surgery University Hospital of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Division of Neuropathology Institute of Pathology University Hospital of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Alessio V Mariolo
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of Surgery, Oncology and Stomatology University of Palermo Palermo Italy
| | - Salvatore D'Arpa
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of Surgery Ghent University Hospital Gent Belgium
| | - Dirk J Schaefer
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery Department of Surgery University Hospital of Basel Basel Switzerland
| | - Daniel F Kalbermatten
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery Department of Surgery University Hospital of Basel Basel Switzerland.,Division of Neuropathology Institute of Pathology University Hospital of Basel Basel Switzerland
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11
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Hormigo KM, Zholudeva LV, Spruance VM, Marchenko V, Cote MP, Vinit S, Giszter S, Bezdudnaya T, Lane MA. Enhancing neural activity to drive respiratory plasticity following cervical spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 2017; 287:276-287. [PMID: 27582085 PMCID: PMC5121051 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) results in permanent life-altering sensorimotor deficits, among which impaired breathing is one of the most devastating and life-threatening. While clinical and experimental research has revealed that some spontaneous respiratory improvement (functional plasticity) can occur post-SCI, the extent of the recovery is limited and significant deficits persist. Thus, increasing effort is being made to develop therapies that harness and enhance this neuroplastic potential to optimize long-term recovery of breathing in injured individuals. One strategy with demonstrated therapeutic potential is the use of treatments that increase neural and muscular activity (e.g. locomotor training, neural and muscular stimulation) and promote plasticity. With a focus on respiratory function post-SCI, this review will discuss advances in the use of neural interfacing strategies and activity-based treatments, and highlights some recent results from our own research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristiina M Hormigo
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lyandysha V Zholudeva
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Victoria M Spruance
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vitaliy Marchenko
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marie-Pascale Cote
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephane Vinit
- Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, INSERM U1179 End:icap, UFR des Sciences de la Santé - Simone Veil, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Simon Giszter
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tatiana Bezdudnaya
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Lane
- Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, College of Medicine, Drexel University, 2900 W Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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12
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Battistuzzo CR, Rank MM, Flynn JR, Morgan DL, Callister R, Callister RJ, Galea MP. Effects Of treadmill training on hindlimb muscles of spinal cord-injured mice. Muscle Nerve 2016; 55:232-242. [PMID: 27273462 PMCID: PMC5324672 DOI: 10.1002/mus.25211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Treadmill training is known to prevent muscle atrophy after spinal cord injury (SCI), but the training duration required to optimize recovery has not been investigated. Methods: Hemisected mice were randomized to 3, 6, or 9 weeks of training or no training. Muscle fiber type composition and fiber cross‐sectional area (CSA) of medial gastrocnemius (MG), soleus (SOL), and tibialis anterior (TA) were assessed using ATPase histochemistry. Results: Muscle fiber type composition of SCI animals did not change with training. However, 9 weeks of training increased the CSA of type IIB and IIX fibers in TA and MG muscles. Conclusions: Nine weeks of training after incomplete SCI was effective in preventing atrophy of fast‐twitch muscles, but there were limited effects on slow‐twitch muscles and muscle fiber type composition. These data provide important evidence of the benefits of exercising paralyzed limbs after SCI. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve55: 232–242, 2017
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila R Battistuzzo
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Michelle M Rank
- School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jamie R Flynn
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David L Morgan
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Robin Callister
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert J Callister
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mary P Galea
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
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13
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Battistuzzo CR, Rank MM, Flynn JR, Morgan DL, Callister R, Callister RJ, Galea MP. Gait recovery following spinal cord injury in mice: Limited effect of treadmill training. J Spinal Cord Med 2016; 39:335-43. [PMID: 26781526 PMCID: PMC5073763 DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2015.1133017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies in rodents with complete spinal cord transections have demonstrated that treadmill training improves stepping movements. However, results from studies in incomplete spinal cord injured animals have been conflicting and questions regarding the training dosage after injury remain unresolved. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of treadmill-training regimen (20 minutes daily, 5 days a week) for 3, 6 or 9 weeks on the recovery of locomotion in hemisected SCI mice. METHODS A randomized and blinded controlled experimental trial used a mouse model of incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). After a left hemisection at T10, adult male mice were randomized to trained or untrained groups. The trained group commenced treadmill training one week after surgery and continued for 3, 6 or 9 weeks. Quantitative kinematic gait analysis was used to assess the spatiotemporal characteristics of the left hindlimb prior to injury and at 1, 4, 7 and 10 weeks post-injury. RESULTS One week after injury there was no movement of the left hindlimb and some animals dragged their foot. Treadmill training led to significant improvements in step duration, but had limited effect on the hindlimb movement pattern. Locomotor improvements in trained animals were most evident at the hip and knee joints whereas recovery of ankle movement was limited, even after 9 weeks of treadmill training. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that treadmill training may lead to only modest improvement in recovery of hindlimb movement after incomplete spinal cord injury in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila R. Battistuzzo
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Corresponding author: Camila R. Battistuzzo. Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Park Campus, Royal Parade, 34–54 Poplar Road, 3052, VIC, Australia. E-mail:
| | - Michelle M. Rank
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Jamie R. Flynn
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - David L. Morgan
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Robin Callister
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert J. Callister
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Mary P. Galea
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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14
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Use of the CatWalk Gait Device to Assess Differences in Locomotion between Genders in Rats Inherently and following Spinal Cord Injury. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1155/2016/6276348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A possible cause of differences in recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) is gender. The effect of gender on locomotor recovery following SCI, however, remains controversial and has produced conflicting results regarding gender’s impact on outcome. A significant shortcoming of previous studies was small sample size. The current work tested what, if any, significant differences existed between genders after SCI with CatWalk Gait Analysis that uses an automated device to measure the foot placement and gait of animals as they voluntarily cross an illuminated glass runway. We hypothesized that, by employing larger sample sizes in a reproducible and clinically relevant contusive SCI paradigm, subtle distinctions in locomotor recovery between sexes, if they exist, would be elucidated. During 13 weeks of functional assessment after SCI, a number of CatWalk parameters, including swing, single stance, and stride length, were significantly affected by gender only as identified by use of ANCOVA analysis, considering age, weight, and baseline performance as covariates. We report here our findings for 197 parameters that were assessed before and after SCI. Evaluating differences in locomotor recovery between sexes after SCI could point to a gender-related advantage and provide novel directions for the development of future therapeutics.
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15
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Datto JP, Yang J, Dietrich WD, Pearse DD. Does being female provide a neuroprotective advantage following spinal cord injury? Neural Regen Res 2015; 10:1533-6. [PMID: 26692831 PMCID: PMC4660727 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.165213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been controversial whether gender has any effect on recovery following spinal cord injury (SCI). Past experimental and clinical research aimed at addressing this subject has led to constrasting findings on whether females hold any advantage in locomotor recovery. Additionally, for studies supporting the notion of a female gender related advantage, a definite cause has not been explained. In a recent study, using large sample sizes for comparative male and female spinal cord injury cohorts, we reported that a significant gender advantage favoring females existed in both tissue preservation and functional recovery after taking into consideration discrepancies in age and weight of the animals across sexes. Prior animal research frequently used sample sizes that were too small to determine significance with certainty and also did not account for two other factors that influence locomotor performance: age and weight. Our finding is important in light of controversy surrounding the effect of gender on outcome and the fact that SCI affects more than ten thousand new individuals annually, a population that is disproportionately male. By deepening our understanding of why a gender advantage exists, potential new therapeutics can be designed to improve recovery for the male population following the initial trauma or putatively augment the neuroprotective privilege in females for enhanced outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey P Datto
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jackie Yang
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - W Dalton Dietrich
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA ; The Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA ; The Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA ; The Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA ; The Neuroscience Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA ; The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Damien D Pearse
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA ; The Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA ; The Neuroscience Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA ; The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
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16
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Datto JP, Bastidas JC, Miller NL, Shah AK, Arheart KL, Marcillo AE, Dietrich WD, Pearse DD. Female Rats Demonstrate Improved Locomotor Recovery and Greater Preservation of White and Gray Matter after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Compared to Males. J Neurotrauma 2015; 32:1146-57. [PMID: 25715192 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2014.3702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The possibility of a gender-related difference in recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a controversial subject. Current empirical animal research lacks sizable test groups to definitively determine whether significant differences exist. Evaluating locomotor recovery variances between sexes following a precise, clinically relevant spinal cord contusion model can provide valuable insight into a possible gender-related advantage in outcome post-SCI. In the current study, we hypothesized that by employing larger sample sizes in a reproducible contusive SCI paradigm, subtle distinctions in locomotor recovery between sexes, if they exist, would be elucidated through a broad range of behavioral tests. During 13 weeks of functional assessment after a thoracic (T8) contusive SCI in rat, significant differences owing to gender existed for the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan score and CatWalk hindlimb swing, support four, and single stance analyses. Significant differences in locomotor performance were noticeable as early as 4 weeks post-SCI. Stereological tissue-volume analysis determined that females, more so than males, also exhibited greater volumes of preserved gray and white matter within the injured cord segment as well as more spared ventral white matter area at the center of the lesion. The stereological tissue analysis differences favoring females directly correlated with the female rats' greater functional improvement observed at endpoint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey P Datto
- 1 The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
| | - Johana C Bastidas
- 1 The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
| | - Nicole L Miller
- 1 The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
| | - Anna K Shah
- 1 The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
| | - Kristopher L Arheart
- 2 The Departments of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
| | - Alexander E Marcillo
- 1 The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
| | - W Dalton Dietrich
- 1 The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.,3 The Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.,4 The Department of Cell Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.,5 The Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.,6 The Neuroscience Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
| | - Damien D Pearse
- 1 The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.,3 The Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.,6 The Neuroscience Program, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida.,7 The Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine , Miami, Florida
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17
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Garcia-Ovejero D, González S, Paniagua-Torija B, Lima A, Molina-Holgado E, De Nicola AF, Labombarda F. Progesterone reduces secondary damage, preserves white matter, and improves locomotor outcome after spinal cord contusion. J Neurotrauma 2014; 31:857-71. [PMID: 24460450 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2013.3162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Progesterone is an anti-inflammatory and promyelinating agent after spinal cord injury, but its effectiveness on functional recovery is still controversial. In the current study, we tested the effects of chronic progesterone administration on tissue preservation and functional recovery in a clinically relevant model of spinal cord lesion (thoracic contusion). Using magnetic resonance imaging, we observed that progesterone reduced both volume and rostrocaudal extension of the lesion at 60 days post-injury. In addition, progesterone increased the number of total mature oligodendrocytes, myelin basic protein immunoreactivity, and the number of axonal profiles at the epicenter of the lesion. Further, progesterone treatment significantly improved motor outcome as assessed using the Basso-Bresnahan-Beattie scale for locomotion and CatWalk gait analysis. These data suggest that progesterone could be considered a promising therapeutical candidate for spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Garcia-Ovejero
- 1 Laboratorio de Neuroinflamación, Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos , Toledo, Spain
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18
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Liu Y, Ao LJ, Lu G, Leong E, Liu Q, Wang XH, Zhu XL, Sun TFD, Fei Z, Jiu T, Hu X, Poon WS. Quantitative gait analysis of long-term locomotion deficits in classical unilateral striatal intracerebral hemorrhage rat model. Behav Brain Res 2013; 257:166-77. [PMID: 24126041 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Revised: 09/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Gait analysis is a systematic collection of quantitative information on bodily movements during locomotion. Gait analysis has been employed clinically in stroke patients for their rehabilitation planning. In animal studies, gait analysis has been employed for the assessment of their locomotive disturbances in ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury and Parkinson's disease. The aims of the work reported here were to identify the gait parameters, collected from the computer-generated CatWalk System, that change after unilateral intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the acute stage and long term up to 56 days post-ICH. The results showed that with the collagenase-induced unilateral striatal lesion, the rats displayed a significant contralateral decrease in print and maximum contact area and paw intensity, a diagonal increase in the stance duration of the left front and right hind paws, a significant decrease in the stride length of all four limbs, and foot pattern instability as reflected by the base of support, support on styles, and cadence. These deficits, including those in print area, stance and pressure, were demonstrated throughout the long-term period following ICH. The correlations between the gait parameters, lesion volume and asymmetrical forelimb use were also reported in this paper. This work has provided a systematic description on gait parameters in the classical striatal ICH model, which might become an essential assessment tool in future studies of pathophysiology and the development of novel treatments for experimental unilateral intracerebral hemorrhage with gait deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Liu
- Rehabilitation Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China; Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Shah PK, Gerasimenko Y, Shyu A, Lavrov I, Zhong H, Roy RR, Edgerton VR. Variability in step training enhances locomotor recovery after a spinal cord injury. Eur J Neurosci 2012; 36:2054-62. [PMID: 22591277 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2012.08106.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Performance of a motor task is improved by practicing a specific task with added 'challenges' to a training regimen. We tested the hypothesis that, in the absence of brain control, the performance of a motor task is enhanced by training using specific variations of that task. We utilized modifications of step performance training to improve the ability of spinal rats to forward step. After a complete thoracic spinal cord transection, 20 adult rats were divided randomly to bipedally step on a treadmill in the forward, sideward, or backward direction for 28 sessions (20 min, 5 days/week) and subsequently tested for their ability to step in the forward direction. Although the animals from all trained groups showed improvement, the rats in the sideward-trained and backward-trained groups had greater step consistency and coordination along with higher peak amplitudes and total integrated activity of the rectified electromyographic signals from selected hindlimb muscles per step during forward stepping than the rats in the forward-trained group. Our results demonstrate that, by retaining the fundamental features of a motor task (bipedal stepping), the ability to perform that motor task can be enhanced by the addition of specific contextual variations to the task (direction of stepping). Our data suggest that the forward stepping neuronal locomotor networks are partially complemented by synchronous activation of interneuronal/motoneuronal populations that are also a part of the sideward or backward stepping locomotor networks. Accordingly, the overlap and interaction of neuronal elements may play a critical role in positive task transference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prithvi K Shah
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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20
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Battistuzzo CR, Callister RJ, Callister R, Galea MP. A systematic review of exercise training to promote locomotor recovery in animal models of spinal cord injury. J Neurotrauma 2012; 29:1600-13. [PMID: 22401139 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2011.2199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the early 1980s experiments on spinalized cats showed that exercise training on the treadmill could enhance locomotor recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). In this review, we summarize the evidence for the effectiveness of exercise training aimed at promoting locomotor recovery in animal models of SCI. We performed a systematic search of the literature using Medline, Web of Science, and Embase. Of the 362 studies screened, 41 were included. The adult female rat was the most widely used animal model. The majority of studies (73%) reported that exercise training had a positive effect on some aspect of locomotor recovery. Studies employing a complete SCI were less likely to have positive outcomes. For incomplete SCI models, contusion was the most frequently employed method of lesion induction, and the degree of recovery depended on injury severity. Positive outcomes were associated with training regimens that involved partial weight-bearing activity, commenced within a critical period of 1-2 weeks after SCI, and maintained training for at least 8 weeks. Considerable heterogeneity in training paradigms and methods used to assess or quantify recovery was observed. A 13-item checklist was developed and employed to assess the quality of reporting and study design; only 15% of the studies had high methodological quality. We recommend that future studies include control groups, randomize animals to groups, conduct blinded assessments, report the extent of the SCI lesion, and report sample size calculations. A small battery of objective assessment methods including assessment of over-ground stepping should also be developed and routinely employed. This would allow future meta-analyses of the effectiveness of exercise interventions on locomotor recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila R Battistuzzo
- Department of Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Starkey ML, Bleul C, Maier IC, Schwab ME. Rehabilitative training following unilateral pyramidotomy in adult rats improves forelimb function in a non-task-specific way. Exp Neurol 2011; 232:81-9. [PMID: 21867701 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2011.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2011] [Revised: 07/14/2011] [Accepted: 08/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Spontaneous functional recovery following injury to the adult central nervous system can be enhanced with increased and focused activity, either through altered behaviour (skill learning, exercise or training) or by artificial stimulation (magnetic or electrical). In terms of training, the choice of paradigm plays a key role in the recovered behaviour. Here we show that task-specific training leads to improved forelimb function that can be translated to a novel forelimb task. Adult Long-Evans rats received a unilateral pyramidotomy and we studied the effects of different post-lesion training paradigms for their ability to recover function in the impaired limb. We trained rats on either the single pellet grasping or the horizontal ladder task. Rats were tested on both tasks regardless of the training paradigm and also on a related, but novel forelimb task, the Staircase. Horizontal ladder training led to full recovery of this task, and also limited recovery on the familiar but untrained single pellet grasping task. In comparison, single pellet grasping training led to a smaller improvement on the horizontal ladder, but interestingly the same degree of recovery on the single pellet grasping task as horizontal ladder trained animals. Both training groups performed equally well on a novel, untrained forelimb grasping task. These results show that task-specific forelimb training can lead to functional recovery also in non-trained, complex, forelimb movements. Anatomically, only single pellet grasping training was associated with enhanced sprouting of the intact corticospinal tract across the cervical spinal cord midline to innervate the denervated side of the spinal cord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Starkey
- Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Caudle KL, Brown EH, Shum-Siu A, Burke DA, Magnuson TSG, Voor MJ, Magnuson DSK. Hindlimb immobilization in a wheelchair alters functional recovery following contusive spinal cord injury in the adult rat. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2011; 25:729-39. [PMID: 21697451 DOI: 10.1177/1545968311407519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Locomotor training of rats with thoracic contusion spinal cord injuries can induce task-specific changes in stepping but rarely results in improved overground locomotion, possibly due to a ceiling effect. Thus, the authors hypothesize that incompletely injured rats maximally retrain themselves while moving about in their cages over the first few weeks postinjury. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis using hindlimb immobilization after mild thoracic contusion spinal cord injury in adult female rats. A passive stretch protocol was included as an independent treatment. METHODS Wheelchairs were used to hold the hindlimbs stationary in an extended position leaving the forelimbs free. The wheelchairs were used for 15 to 18 hours per day, 5 days per week for 8 weeks, beginning at 4 days postinjury. A 20-minute passive hindlimb stretch therapy was applied to half of the animals. RESULTS Hindlimb locomotor function of the wheelchair group was not different from controls at 1 week postinjury but declined significantly over the next 4 weeks. Passive stretch had no influence on wheelchair animals but limited functional recovery of normally housed animals, preventing them from regaining forelimb-hindlimb coordination. Following 8 weeks of wheelchair immobilization and stretch therapy, only the wheelchair group displayed an improvement in function when returned to normal housing but retained significant deficits in stepping and coordination out to 16 weeks. CONCLUSION Hindlimb immobilization and passive stretch may hinder or conceal the normal course of functional recovery of spinal cord injured rats. These observations have implications for the management of acute clinical spinal cord injuries.
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