Edaravone exhibits neuroprotective effects in rats following acute spinal cord injury

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Spinal cord injury (SCI) resulting from high-intensity trauma can lead to severe neurological sequelae. The purpose of the present study was to clarify via electrophysiological methods whether edaravone improves motor functional outcomes and thereby represents a therapeutic strategy in the early acute stage of SCI. Following an intraperitoneal injection of urethane, rats were mounted on a stereotactic frame, and laminectomies were carried out to expose the spinal cord. Signal conduction in the motor pathways was assessed using spinal motor evoked potentials (MEPs). SCI was induced via extradural placement of a 10-gram weight. Following the contusion, the amplitude of spinal MEPs recovered to 60% of baseline in edaravone (3 mg/kg/h)-treated rats. Our electrophysiological analysis indicates that spinal cord conduction is better preserved following edaravone. Edaravone may maximize motor functional recovery following SCI and represent a novel therapeutic strategy for acute SCI.