Robotic Locomotor Training and Muscle Atrophy in the Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Nessler在大鼠脊髓损伤模型中的机器人运动训练和肌肉萎缩本研究将研究机器人步态训练算法在脊髓损伤(SCI)大鼠模型中对保存下肢肌肉质量和力量的影响，以及涉及骨骼肌萎缩/肥大的分子机制。本项目的研究目标是：1.开发一种新型的大鼠步进器，包括力传感器来测量设备与动物之间的相互作用力。检测使用机器人训练算法来增加脊髓损伤大鼠站立时的足屈力矩的效果。检查8周的机器人步态训练对后肢肌肉质量、横截面积和SCI后萎缩/肥大分子信号级联的影响。运动训练将使用一种特殊设计的机器人步态设备进行，该设备模仿PI开发的先前模型(即“大鼠步行器”)。对该装置进行选择性的改进将使测量动物和机器人之间的相互作用力以及在行走过程中产生的肌肉力量成为可能。当动物在机器人设备中行走时，将使用反向动力学技术在活体中测量肌肉力量。肌肉功能的体外测量将包括肌肉质量、横截面积和与骨骼肌萎缩/肥大相关的分子信号级联。签名马歇尔·M·李，CBETInterim项目官员，高级顾问

0755702Nessler Robotic Locomotor Training and Muscle Atrophy in the Rat Model of Spinal Cord InjuryThis study will investigate the effects of a robotic gait training algorithm on the preservation of lower extremity muscle mass and strength, and the molecular mechanisms involved in skeletal muscle atrophy/hypertrophy in the rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI).The research objectives for this project are:1. Develop a novel version of the rat stepper that includes force sensors to measure interaction forces between the device and the animal.2. Examine the effects of using a robotic training algorithm to increase plantarflexion torque during stance in spinal cord injured rats.3. Examine the effects of eight weeks of robotic gait training on hindlimb muscle mass, crosssectional area, and the atrophy/hypertrophy molecular signaling cascades following SCI.Locomotor training will be performed using a specially designed, robotic gait device, patterned after a previous model developed by the PI (i.e. the 'rat stepper'). Select modifications to this device will make possible the measurement of interaction forces between the animal and the robot, as well as muscle forces generated during stepping. Muscle strength will be measured in vivo as the animal steps in the robotic device using inverse dynamic techniques. In vitro measures of muscle function will include muscle mass, cross-sectional area, and molecular signaling cascades related to skeletal muscle atrophy/hypertrophy. SIGNATURE Marshall M. LihSenior Advisor, CBETInterim Program Officer, RAPD