MICROSTIMULATION OF THE LUMBOSACRAL SPINAL CORD- MAPPING

本研究的目的是探索其安全性和 脊髓微刺激的有效性。 如果成功， 这种技术可以作为修复生殖器假体的一部分， 泌尿、肠道和其他运动功能的脊髓损伤患者 损伤 来自脊髓微刺激研究的信息是 尤其是截瘫患者的神经假体设计者 那些在脊髓上方遭受损伤的人， 腰骶部 特别是，目前的研究表明， 这表明有可能选择性地激发支配脑的神经元， 膀胱逼尿肌同时刺激中间神经元 这些神经元与支配大脑皮层的神经元有抑制性突触连接， 尿道外括约肌 同样，对阴茎的离散控制 勃起、射精、排便和控制躯体 四肢的肌肉组织可能通过选择性脊髓 脊髓损伤水平以下的微刺激。 目前的合同研究提供了有关地点的信息， 传入和传出神经元以及中间神经元控制 正常和脊髓损伤猫脊髓的排尿功能 动物 还对神经元进行了有限的映射， 控制雄性猫的勃起。目前的合同研究也是 研究通过脊髓 微刺激，瘫痪个体的躯体肌肉组织， 是脊髓损伤的结果 作为初步可行性研究， 神经元控制的屈肌和伸肌的位置， 膝盖正在被标测。 这些映射区域的微刺激 证明了膝关节屈肌和伸肌的激活。 本 研究将提供更详细的地图，并将确定 定量地，瘫痪肌肉的运动控制程度， 可以通过腰骶脊髓的微刺激产生。

The objective of this research is to explore the safety and effectiveness of microstimulation of the spinal cord. If successful, such a technique could be part of a prosthesis to restore genito- urinary, bowel, and other motor functions to victims of spinal cord injury. Information from spinal cord microstimulation studies is especially needed by designers of neural prostheses for paraplegic individuals who have sustained injuries to their spinal cords above the lumbosacral region. In particular, evidence from current studies indicate that is possible to selectively excite neurons innervating the bladder detrusor muscle while simultaneously stimulating interneurons which have inhibitory synaptic connections with neurons innervating the external urethral sphincter. Likewise, discrete control of penile erection, ejaculation, bowel evacuation, and control of the somatic musculature of the limbs may be possible by selective spinal cord microstimulation below the level of spinal cord injury. Current contract research has provided information about the locations of afferent and efferent neurons as well as interneurons controlling urinary function in the cat spinal cord using both normal and spinalized animals. Limited mapping has also been performed on the neurons that control erection in the male cat. The current contract research is also studying the possibility of controlling, by spinal cord microstimulation, the somatic musculature of individuals paralyzed as the result of spinal cord injuries. As an initial feasibility study, the locations of the neurons controlling the flexors and extensors of the knee are being mapped. Microstimulation of these mapped areas has demonstrated activation of both knee flexors and extensors. The present research will provide more detailed maps, and will determine quantitatively, the degree of motor control of paralyzed muscles that can be produced by microstimulation of the lumbosacral spinal cord.