脊髓损伤（SCI）后运动障碍是患者致残的主要因素，目前仍缺乏有效的治疗手段。最新实验研究表明SCI后大脑M1区兴奋性升高对运动功能的恢复起着重要促进作用。我们前期临床研究也证实SCI患者大脑M1区功能活性与后期运动功能恢复呈正相关。结合文献我们推测精确激活大脑M1区谷氨酸能神经元可能是促进SCI功能恢复的新途径。光遗传学技术是近年来兴起的一项新技术，可靶向激活指定类型的神经元。我们前期预实验初步表明该技术可显著促进SCI大鼠运动功能的恢复，但具体机制不清。基于此，本项目拟在前期研究的基础上，构建能特异性激活谷氨酸能神经元的光敏感基因腺相关病毒质粒AAV-CaMKⅡα- ChR2-mCherry，进一步验证光遗传学技术对不完全性SCI大鼠运动功能的恢复作用，并对脊髓损伤区域和大脑相关区域进行分子生物学研究，探讨运动功能恢复的生理学机制。以期为当前SCI功能修复提供一种崭新的思路。

Paralysis is a major cause of disability following spinal cord injury (SCI), which is still lack of effective intervention measures. Recent studies have shown that increased excitability of M1 could contribute to the motor recovery following SCI. We also found that the activity level of M1 were positively correlated to the extent of motor recovery in SCI patients. On the basis of literature review, we speculate that precise activation of M1 glutamate neurons may be a new way to promote the motor recovery following SCI. Optogenetics is a new technology advanced recently, which could precise activation of a certain type of neuron. Our preliminary studies showed optogenetics could obviously promote the motor recovery of SCI rats, but the mechanism remains unclear. Based on our previous findings, we will firstly build the light sensitive adeno associated virus (AAV) vectors, which could specificity activate the glutamate neurons: AAV-CaMKⅡα- ChR2-mCherry, and then to explore its effect on the motor recovery of uncomplete SCI rats. At last, we will further explore the mechanism of motor recovery through making molecular biological studies in the areas of spinal injury site and brain motor cortex. In general, the findings have great importance to provide a brand-new method for functional repair of SCI.