Objective clinical assessment of motor function after experimental spinal cord injury in the rat

Rivlin, Alex S.; Tator, Charles H.

doi:10.3171/jns.1977.47.4.0577

Cited by 627 publications

(320 citation statements)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

305

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Animals were also subjected to testing by the inclined-plane method (Rivlin and Tator, 1977). The maximum angle at which the animal could maintain a stable position for 5 s on the inclined plane was recorded.…”

Section: Functional Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Olfactory ensheathing cells transplanted in lesioned spinal cord prevent loss of spinal cord parenchyma and promote functional recovery

Verdú

García-Alías

Forés

et al. 2003

Glia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We studied the effects of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) transplanted in a photochemical spinal cord injury in adult rats. After dorsal laminectomy at T8 vertebra, subjacent spinal cord was bathed with rose Bengal for 10 min and illuminated with visible light by means of an optic fiber connected to a halogen lamp for 2.5 min at maximal intensity of 8 kLux. Eight injured rats received a suspension of OECs in DMEM, and another eight rats received DMEM alone. Locomotor ability scored by the BBB scale, pain sensibility by the plantar algesimetry test, and motor-and somatosensory-evoked potentials by electrophysiological techniques were evaluated for 3 months postsurgery. Finally, all rats were perfused with paraformaldehyde and transverse sections from the spinal cord segment at the lesion site were immunostained against GFAP. Area of the preserved spinal cord parenchyma was measured from the GFAPimmunolabeled cord sections. The BBB score and the amplitude of motor-and somatosensory-evoked potentials were higher in OECs-transplanted rats than in DMEMinjected animals throughout follow-up, whereas the withdrawal response to heat noxious stimulus was lower in OEC-than in DMEM-injected rats. The area of preserved spinal cord was significantly larger in OECs-transplanted rats than in DMEM-injected animals. These results indicate that OECs promote functional and morphological preservation of the spinal cord after photochemical injury. GLIA 42:275-286, 2003.

show abstract

Section: Functional Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Olfactory ensheathing cells transplanted in lesioned spinal cord prevent loss of spinal cord parenchyma and promote functional recovery

Verdú

García-Alías

Forés

et al. 2003

Glia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Hind-limb function was assessed via the inclined plane technique of Rivlin and Tator 35 and with the following modified version of Tarlov's grading scale 45 : grade 1, no voluntary hind-limb movement; grade 2, minimal movement but no ability to stand; grade 3, the ability to stand but the inability to walk; grade 4, the ability to walk with mild spasticity or incoordination of the hind limbs; and 5, the ability to walk normally.…”

Section: Neurologic Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Calpain inhibitor AK 295 inhibits calpain-induced apoptosis and improves neurologic function after traumatic spinal cord injury in rats

et al. 2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SummaryBackground. An increase in the level of intracellular calcium activates the calcium-dependent neutral protease calpain, which in turn leads to cellular dysfunction and cell death after an insult to the central nervous system. In this study, we evaluated the effect of a calpain inhibitor, AK 295, on spinal cord structure, neurologic function, and apoptosis after spinal cord injury (SCI) in a murine model.Methods. Thirty albino Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 10 each: the sham-operated control group (group 1), the spinal cord trauma group (group 2), and the spinal cord trauma plus AK 295 treatment group (group 3). After having received a combination of ketamine 60 mg/kg and xylazine 9 mg/kg to induce anesthesia, the rats in groups 2 and 3 were subjected to thoracic trauma by the weight drop technique (40 g-cm). One hour after having been subjected to that trauma, the rats in groups 2 and 3 were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of either dimethyl sulfoxide 2 mg/kg or AK 295 2 mg/kg. The effects of the injury and the efficacy of AK 295 were determined by an assessment of the TUNEL technique and the results of examination with a light microscope. The neurologic performance of 5 rats from group 2 and 5 from group 3 was assessed by means of the inclined plane technique and the modified Tarlov's motor grading scale 1, 3, and 5 days after spinal cord trauma.Findings. Light-microscopic examination of spinal cord specimens from group 2 revealed hemorrhage, edema, necrosis, and vascular thrombi 24 hours after trauma. Similar (but less prominent) features were seen in specimens obtained from group 3 rats. Twenty-four hours after injury, the mean apoptotic cell numbers in groups 1 and 2 were zero and 4.57 ± 0.37 cells, respectively. In group 3, the mean apoptotic cell number was 2.30 ± 0.34 cells, a value significantly lower than that in group 2 (P < .05). Five days after trauma, the injured rats in group 2 demonstrated significant motor dysfunction (P < .05). In comparison, the motor scores exhibited by group 3 rats were markedly better (P < .05).Conclusions. AK 295 inhibited apoptosis via calpaindependent pathways and provided neuroprotection and improved neurologic function in a rat model of SCI. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the use of AK 295, a calpain inhibitor, after SCI. Our data suggest that AK 295 might be a novel therapeutic compound for the neuroprotection of tissue and the recovery of function in patients with a SCI.KEY WORDS: AK 295. Apoptosis. Calpain inhibitor. Secondary damage. Spinal cord trauma.El inhibidor de la calpaina AK 295 inhibe la apoptosis inducida por calpaina y mejora la función neurológica tras traumatismo medular en ratas ResumenIntroducción. Una lesión en el sistema nervioso central origina un incremento en los niveles de calcio intracelular que activa la proteasa neutral calciodependiente calpaina, que a su vez conduce a la producción de disfunción y muerte celular. En este estudio evaluamos el efecto de un inhibidor de la calpaina, AK 295, so...

show abstract

“…The IP task measures the animal's ability to maintain its body position when placed on an inclined board. 18 The TSR is elicited after picking the animal and allowing the hindlimbs to hang free. 19 The TS indicates the animal's hindlimb locomotor ability.…”

Section: Behavioral Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of 4-aminopyridine and single-dose methylprednisolone on functional recovery after a chronic spinal cord injury

et al. 1998

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The demyelination process is an important factor contributing to long term sensory and motor impairments after spinal cord injury (SCI). Exposure of axonal K + channels after demyelination may contribute to blockage of action potentials across the injury site. A K + channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), has been e ective in restoring some sensory and motor impairment in incomplete SCI patients. The long-term e ect of this compound in chronic model of SCI is not known. In this study, after a compression injury of 50 grams in rats, a randomized treatment was initiated 3 weeks after the initial injury which was followed by daily administration of 4-AP at 2 mg/kg (n=8), 4 mg/kg (n=8), and 6 mg/kg (n=8) for 4 weeks. A group of methylprednisolone (MP)-treated (30 mg/kg, n=8) and non-treated animals (n=8) were included for comparison. The functional motor outcome was measured in each animal at regular time points up to 4 weeks post-treatment. All animals receiving 6 mg/ kg developed generalized seizure and were excluded from the study. In the other animal groups, analysis of the behavioral outcome and neuro-pathological changes were essentially similar and did not show any signi®cant e ect of treatment. Our data indicate that daily administration of 4-AP, over 4 weeks of treatment period, lacks any signi®cant e ect on axonal function in chronically injured rats. This could be due to (a) lack of signi®cant numbers of demyelinated axons which could improve the functional outcome and (b) a treatment regimen that was not adequate to contribute to a better functional outcome. One time bolus-administration of MP at 30 mg/kg also did not ensure a better functional outcome.

show abstract

Objective clinical assessment of motor function after experimental spinal cord injury in the rat

Cited by 627 publications

References 8 publications

Olfactory ensheathing cells transplanted in lesioned spinal cord prevent loss of spinal cord parenchyma and promote functional recovery

Olfactory ensheathing cells transplanted in lesioned spinal cord prevent loss of spinal cord parenchyma and promote functional recovery

Calpain inhibitor AK 295 inhibits calpain-induced apoptosis and improves neurologic function after traumatic spinal cord injury in rats

Effect of 4-aminopyridine and single-dose methylprednisolone on functional recovery after a chronic spinal cord injury

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About