Role of physical training and intraspinal hemodynamic changes in the recovery of forelimb function after cervical spinal cord injury in rats

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Project Summary This request for an administrative diversity supplement award will allow Mr. Hernandez to develop as a scientist and gain additional training and skills needed to be competitive candidate into a PhD program in Physical Therapy. Mr. Hernandez will work with Dr. Khaing (mentor), Dr. Bruce (co-mentor), and Dr. Chet Moritz (co-mentor) to learn and develop skills to complete a successful research project. Mr. Hernandez proposed to develop a project examining 1) the combined effects of physical therapy and a neuroprotective agent (Glibenclamide), and 2) altered blood flow within the chronic spinal cord after cervical spinal cord injury. This project is within the scope of the parent R01 grant because it aims to explore how to obtain optimal functional recovery by combining neuroprotection (proposed in the parent R01) with physical therapy training. Additionally, this project will also utilize the novel ultrasound imaging technique proposed in the parent R01 to explore the alterations in intraspinal blood flow changes that may mediate or correlate with improved functional recovery in a rat model of spinal cord injury. We hypothesize that rats that receive physical training and Glibenclamide will be able to perform forelimb reaching tasks (FRT) more effectively when compared to other groups treated with physical training or Glibenclamide alone. Specifically, we will test whether functional recovery of forelimbs can be enhanced with a physical therapy/training intervention. Recently our lab has successfully developed contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for use with rodent traumatic SCI. Here will utilize acute and transcutaneous B-mode and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging to perform a longitudinal study in control and treatment groups to determine hemodynamic changes associated with improved functional recovery after cSCI. Through this proposed study, Mr. Hernandez will receive training on designing and executing a research project, sterile surgical techniques, ultrasound imaging techniques as well as histological techniques to accomplish the proposed work. Additionally. Mr. Hernandez will receive training in MATLAB for image acquisition, processing and data analysis using this program. Mr. Hernandez will receive mentoring from Drs. Khaing, Bruce, and Moritz on experimental design, execution as well as data analysis, interpretation, and manuscript writing skills. Mr. Hernandez will also be expected to present the findings from this project at a national or international meeting to gain additional exposure and networking opportunities. Finally, Mr. Hernandez will be encouraged to develop his own research ideas to be developed as F31 in the future.