Spontaneous Neuronal Plasticity in the Contralateral Motor Cortex and Corticospinal Tract after Focal Cortical Infarction in Hypertensive Rats

Huang, Xiaoqin; Wang, Xiaoting; Yang, Mengqi; Pan, Xin-Bin; Duan, Meiyi; Wen, Xianlong; Cai, Hui; Jiang, Guimiao; Chen, Li

doi:10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105235

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…To determine the CST and its projections, Huang injected BDA tracers into the contralateral motor cortex after MCAO. Positive BDA signals were detected in the cervical medullary gray matter (C3-5) with extended germination across the midline into the infarcted side [ 38 ]. Deng further confirmed that EA increases the number of positive BDA signals on the infarct side [ 10 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electroacupuncture Activates Neuroplasticity in the Motor Cortex and Corticospinal Tract via the mTOR Pathway in a Rat P-MCAO Model

Zhang

Yin

Jin

et al. 2022

BioMed Research International

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Electroacupuncture (EA) combines traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture theory with modern scientific technology. It is a promising therapy for the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases such as cerebral infarction. A large number of clinical studies have shown that EA promotes recovery of neurological function after cerebral infarction, however, the underlying mechanisms behind its effects remain unclear. We tested whether EA stimulation of the Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) acupoints activates neuroplasticity in rats with ischemic stroke and whether this involves the regulation of axonal regeneration through the mTOR pathway. 24 h after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (p-MCAO) in rats, EA treatment was started for 20 min, daily, for 14 days. We found that EA significantly reduced Modified Neurological Severity Scores (mNSS), cerebral infarct volume, and apoptosis of neuronal cells. EA also significantly increased the expression of the neuroplasticity-associated proteins GAP-43 and SYN and upregulated the phosphorylation levels of AKT, mTOR, S6, and PTEN to promote CST axon sprouting in the spinal cord at C1–C4 levels. The positive effects of EA were blocked by the administration of the mTOR inhibitor Rapamycin. In short, we found that EA of the Zusanli (ST36) and Neiguan (PC6) acupoints in p-MCAO rats induced neuroprotective and neuroplastic effects by regulating the mTOR signaling pathway. It promoted neuroplasticity activated by axon regeneration in the contralateral cortex and corticospinal tract. Activation of such endogenous remodeling is conducive to neurological recovery and may help explain the positive clinical effects seen in patients with infarcts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%