Spinal Circuits and the Musculoskeletal System

此提案是为一个由三个计划和三个核心组成的计划计划奖助金。它的总体目标将是评估当这种相互作用被破坏时，脊髓回路和肌肉骨骼系统之间关系的适应性变化的极限。在每个项目中，这种破坏将在使用周围神经横断和手术修复的模型系统中进行研究。项目一（英文）将研究大鼠坐骨神经横断后的自发适应能力、跑步机训练以及脊髓反射的操作性条件反射对脊髓回路输出的影响。将这些方法与已知的增强受损周围神经轴突早期再生的方案相结合的有效性将被确定。在项目II （Gregor）中，将研究猫的单个肌肉神经横断和手术修复后，短期代偿策略对长期适应性变化的作用。使用动力学、运动学和肌电图分析，结缔组织的代偿程度、增强轴突再生的影响以及皮肤感觉系统在这些变化中所起的作用将被研究。在项目III （Nichols）中，将研究不同形式的本体感觉反馈在猫主跖屈肌手术神经移植后的功能缺陷中所起的作用。通过结合生物力学模型的急性和慢性实验，将阐明短期补偿和长期适应的机制。在恢复期间使用高强度的跑步机斜坡训练，将研究正常反射的保存。该PPG汇集了来自不同背景的知名科学家团队，其共同目标是继续加强临床康复的科学基础。

This proposal is for a Program Project Grant consisting of three Projects and three Cores. Its overall goal will be to evaluate the limits of adaptive changes in the relationship between spinal circuits and the musculoskeletal system when this interaction is disrupted. In each of the projects this disruption will be studied in model systems using transection and surgical repair of peripheral nerves. In Project I (English), the capacity for spontaneous adaptation, the effects of treadmill training, and operant conditioning of spinal reflexes on the outputs of spinal circuits will be studied after sciatic nerve transection in rats. The effectiveness of combining these approaches with protocols known to enhance the early regeneration of axons in injured peripheral nerves will be determined. In Project II (Gregor), the roles of short term compensatory strategies on longer term adaptive changes will be studied after transection and surgical repair of a single muscle nerve in cats. Using kinetic, kinematic, and EMG analyses, the extent of compensation by connective tissues, the effects of enhancing axon regeneration, and the roles played by cutaneous sensory systems in these changes will be studied. In Project III (Nichols), the roles played by different forms of proprioceptive feedback in the functional deficit following surgical reinnervation of the main cat plantar flexor muscles will be studied. Using acute and chronic experiments in conjunction with biomechanical modeling, the mechanisms underlying both short term compensation and longer term adaptation will be elucidated. Using intense treadmill ramp training during the recovery period, the preservation of normal reflexes will be studied. This PPG brings together a team of established scientists from diverse backgrounds, with a common goal to continue to strengthen the science base underlying clinical rehabilitation.