Use of quadrupedal step training to re-engage spinal interneuronal networks and improve locomotor function after spinal cord injury
Use of quadrupedal step training to re-engage spinal interneuronal networks and improve locomotor function after spinal cord injury
复制标题
DOI：
10.1093/brain/awt265
复制
发表时间：
2013-11-01
期刊：
影响因子：
14.5
通讯作者：
Edgerton, V. Reggie
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Shah, Prithvi K.;Garcia-Alias, Guillermo;Edgerton, V. Reggie
脊髓损伤后，可以通过重新参与上肢的功能活动来改善下肢运动功能吗？我们通过在成年大鼠胸脊髓半切后结合训练前肢和后肢来解决这个问题。脊髓回路更加兴奋，行为和电生理分析显示，在跑步机步进训练期间，前肢与后肢同时参与时，后肢功能得到改善，而不是仅训练后肢。神经元逆行标记表明，与双足训练的大鼠相比，四足训练的大鼠在胸部病变部位上方和下方有更多数量的本体脊髓标记神经元。结果提供了强有力的证据，表明积极参与前肢可以改善后肢功能，并且这些影响背后的一种可能机制是头尾脊髓间神经元网络的重组和重新参与。我们首次提供证据表明连接前肢和后肢的脊髓间神经元网络适合康复训练范例。这种现象的识别为进行临床前研究提供了强有力的理由，以确定涉及上臂训练与下肢训练相结合的训练范式是否可以增强神经损伤后的运动恢复。
Can lower limb motor function be improved after a spinal cord lesion by re-engaging functional activity of the upper limbs? We addressed this issue by training the forelimbs in conjunction with the hindlimbs after a thoracic spinal cord hemisection in adult rats. The spinal circuitries were more excitable, and behavioural and electrophysiological analyses showed improved hindlimb function when the forelimbs were engaged simultaneously with the hindlimbs during treadmill step-training as opposed to training only the hindlimbs. Neuronal retrograde labelling demonstrated a greater number of propriospinal labelled neurons above and below the thoracic lesion site in quadrupedally versus bipedally trained rats. The results provide strong evidence that actively engaging the forelimbs improves hindlimb function and that one likely mechanism underlying these effects is the reorganization and re-engagement of rostrocaudal spinal interneuronal networks. For the first time, we provide evidence that the spinal interneuronal networks linking the forelimbs and hindlimbs are amenable to a rehabilitation training paradigm. Identification of this phenomenon provides a strong rationale for proceeding toward preclinical studies for determining whether training paradigms involving upper arm training in concert with lower extremity training can enhance locomotor recovery after neurological damage.