Spinal cord injury and plasticity: Opportunities and challenges

Fouad, Karim; Krajacic, Aleksandra; Tetzlaff, Wolfram

doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2010.04.017

Cited by 64 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 93 publications

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“…Neuroplasticity can be defined as the ability of the nervous system to respond to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli by reorganizing its structure, function, and connections. Major advances in our understanding of neuroplasticity have, to date, yielded few established interventions [4][5][6]42,[55][56][57][58]77,78,[80][81][82][83][84][85][86], Brunelli decided on a total neurotransmitter switch at the neuromuscular junction from cholinergic to glutamatergic [11,[71][72][73]. In contrast to the GB group, we did not observe any FB+ neurons in the brain, but we did observe them in many laminae of the SC gray matter.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

“…Until now, traumatic paraplegia by severance of the spinal cord (SC) remains an irreversible condition. Basically, current clinical treatment strategies are targeted to promote axon regeneration and outgrowth beyond the scar formation following SC avulsion [1][2][3][4][5][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][20][21][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85] Previous experimental and clinical studies together with GB have aroused some hope that paraplegic patients might achieve some selective voluntary muscle reinnervation after grafting the first motor neuron to skeletal hip muscles [10,11,25,72,73].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To our knowledge, GB paradigm has, to date, never been proved in another research institute. For restoration of direct elective function to occur, new nerve fibers must adopt a trajectory along the growth-promoting tissue [77]. With regard to human applications, we felt committed to ensuring Brunelli's concept using an international transdisciplinary team of experts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We recommend a new study examining the neuroprotective effect of CERE medication in our grafting procedure model with more extensive CERE treatment up to four weeks and a longer follow up of 6 months, which might provide more detailed insight into its beneficial neuromodulation potency on central plasticity. As suggested by Fouad and coauthors, most studies that have attempted to decode plasticity consider either motor or sensory systems and disregard the contributions of adaptations in both systems simultaneously to recovery and the relevance of changes in each system and their co-dependence [77]. Although there was no way for us to examine sensory recovery in this project, it should be noted that in addition to α-motoneurons, sensory neurons were retrogradely labeled with Fast Blue, which is interesting in light of their potential to aid in sensory and/or motor recovery.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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New Aspects of Graft-induced Central Plasticity and Neuroregeneration at T 10 in a Rat Model†

Wild¹,

Cătoi²,

Wild³

et al. 2017

J Neurol Neurophysiol

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Objective: Retest Brunelli's graft induced glutamate neurotransmitter switch at the neuromuscular junction in rat for the translation of new aspects of central plasticity concepts for human reconstructive surgery in spinal cord lesions. Methods:Randomized double blind controlled study in rat, which was limited to 30 animals (Charles River, 220 to 280 g). Ethical research approval was obtained from the Animal Research Committee of the University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, UK-SH, Lübeck, D, and legitimated by the Governmental Department of Agriculture, Natural Environments and Agriculture Kiel, D, in compliance with the European Commission Recommendation to retest and review of graft-induced glutamatergic regeneration and /or cholinergic co-transmission at the neuromuscular junction for reinnervation of the skeletal internal obliquus abdominal muscle fibres. Assessments were performed to demonstrate pharmacological neuromodulation after attaching the lateral corticospinal tract at T10 to the bisected skeletal motor nerve. Medication was administered for 14 days postoperatively-a) verum Cerebrolysin ® IP=12-b) shams NaCl 0.9% IP=11, and c) 7 controls (nil). 2nd Op at day 90 (16 surviving rats) for open proof of reinnervation and its type by a) CMAP, b)Vecuronium ® application. Fast Blue ® labeling were performed. 10 days later, on the 3rd Op N=15, euthanasia and organ fixation were performed. Extensive histology-morphology examinations were performed in Cluj.Results: Eight rats showed positive CMAPs. Reinnervation and neuromodulation were demonstrated by counting and comparison of the grafted muscle fibers diameter. Four CAMP-positive-rats received Vecuronium ® : 1 CERE and 1 NaCl each demonstrated a loss of amplitude respectively two an incomplete muscle blockage due to the coexistence of glutamatergic and cholinergic neurotransmission. Confirmation of the VGluT2 in axons was observed by immunofluorescence. FB+ neurons were observed in many Rexed laminae in grafted spinal cord, but not in the brain. Conclusion:The coexistence of graft-induced cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission and a great capacity of lower motor neurons and other types of spinal neurons to regenerate were observed. Because of limited animals, pharmacological neuromodulation requires further investigation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

New Aspects of Graft-induced Central Plasticity and Neuroregeneration at T 10 in a Rat Model†

Wild¹,

Cătoi²,

Wild³

et al. 2017

J Neurol Neurophysiol

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“…There is now a substantial literature demonstrating the role of activity-dependent plasticity leading to recovery of function after SCI. 83,84 Sensory information about lower extremity loading provides important cues that modulate the patterns of muscle activity. 85 Thus, the peripheral nervous system remains a critical component in the modulation of spinal cord activity below the level of injury.…”

Section: Exercise and Bonementioning

confidence: 99%

Spinal cord injury and physical activity: preservation of the body

Galea

2011

Spinal Cord

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Setting: Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes devastating loss of function and can result in serious secondary complications. Although significant advances are being made to develop cellular and molecular therapies to promote regeneration, it is important to optimize physical interventions. Objectives: The objective of this review was to examine the evidence for the effects of physical rehabilitation strategies on health and fitness, and maintenance of target systems below the level of injury (for example, muscle, bone, circulation).Results: Exercise appears to be a potent means of achieving these goals, using a variety of strategies. Conclusion: Physical rehabilitation after SCI needs to move beyond the goal of maximizing independence to focus on maintenance of optimum health and fitness as well as maintenance of target system function below the level of injury. Issues requiring further investigation include identification of the optimum dosage of interventions to achieve specific goals, for example, prevention of muscle atrophy and osteoporosis, and development and validation of simple clinical measures to monitor the changes in body composition. Adoption of a classification system for physical interventions and standardized outcome measures would facilitate large-scale observational studies to identify the critical variables contributing to better outcomes.

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Locomotor recovery after spinal cord hemisection/contusion injures in bonnet monkeys: Footprint testing—a minireview

Rangasamy

2013

Synapse

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Spinal cord injuries usually produce loss or impairment of sensory, motor and reflex function below the level of damage. In the absence of functional regeneration or manipulations that promote regeneration, spontaneous improvements in motor functions occur due to the activation of multiple compensatory mechanisms in animals and humans following the partial spinal cord injury. Many studies were performed on quantitative evaluation of locomotor recovery after induced spinal cord injury in animals using behavioral tests and scoring techniques. Although few studies on rodents have led to clinical trials, it would appear imperative to use nonhuman primates such as macaque monkeys in order to relate the research outcomes to recovery of functions in humans. In this review, we will discuss some of our research evidences concerning the degree of spontaneous recovery in bipedal locomotor functions of bonnet monkeys that underwent spinal cord hemisection/contusion lesions. To our knowledge, this is the first report to discuss on the extent of spontaneous recovery in bipedal locomotion of macaque monkeys through the application of footprint analyzing technique. In addition, the results obtained were compared with the published data on recovery of quadrupedal locomotion of spinally injured rodents. We propose that the mechanisms underlying spontaneous recovery of functions in spinal cord lesioned monkeys may be correlated to the mature function of spinal pattern generator for locomotion under the impact of residual descending and afferent connections. Moreover, based on analysis of motor functions observed in locomotion in these subjected monkeys, we understand that spinal automatism and development of responses by afferent stimuli from outside the cord could possibly contribute to recovery of paralyzed hindlimbs. This report also emphasizes the functional contribution of progressive strengthening of undamaged nerve fibers through a collateral sprouts/synaptic plasticity formed in partially lesioned cord of monkeys.

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Spinal cord injury and plasticity: Opportunities and challenges

Cited by 64 publications

References 93 publications

New Aspects of Graft-induced Central Plasticity and Neuroregeneration at T 10 in a Rat Model†

New Aspects of Graft-induced Central Plasticity and Neuroregeneration at T 10 in a Rat Model†

Spinal cord injury and physical activity: preservation of the body

Locomotor recovery after spinal cord hemisection/contusion injures in bonnet monkeys: Footprint testing—a minireview

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