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

项目摘要 这一行政多元化补充奖的要求将允许埃尔南德斯先生发展 作为一名科学家，获得额外的培训和技能，成为一名有竞争力的候选人， 物理治疗PhD Program in Physical Therapy埃尔南德斯先生将与Khaing博士（导师）、布鲁斯博士 （共同导师）和Chet莫里茨博士（共同导师）学习和发展技能，以完成成功的 研究项目。埃尔南德斯先生提议开展一个项目，研究1） 物理治疗和神经保护剂（格列本脲），和2）改变血流内 颈髓损伤后慢性脊髓损伤。该项目属于 父R 01补助金，因为它的目的是探索如何获得最佳的功能恢复， 结合神经保护（在父R 01中提出）和物理治疗训练。 此外，该项目还将利用在《生物医学杂志》中提出的新的超声成像技术。 亲本R 01，以探索可能介导或 与脊髓损伤大鼠模型中功能恢复的改善相关。我们假设 接受体育训练和格列本脲的大鼠将能够进行前肢伸展 与其他接受体能训练的组相比， 格列本脲单药。具体来说，我们将测试前肢的功能恢复是否可以 通过物理治疗/训练干预来增强。最近，我们的实验室成功地 开发了用于啮齿动物创伤性SCI的对比增强超声（CEUS）。这里将 利用急性和经皮B型和对比增强超声（CEUS）成像， 在对照组和治疗组中进行纵向研究，以确定血流动力学 与cSCI后功能恢复改善相关的变化。通过这一提议， 研究，埃尔南德斯先生将接受培训，设计和执行一个研究项目，无菌 手术技术、超声成像技术以及组织学技术， 完成拟议的工作。另外。埃尔南德斯先生将接受MATLAB培训， 图像采集，处理和数据分析使用此程序。埃尔南德斯先生将收到 Khaing博士、布鲁斯博士和莫里茨博士在实验设计、执行和数据方面的指导 分析，解释和手稿写作技巧。预计埃尔南德斯先生还将 在国家或国际会议上介绍该项目的研究结果，以获得更多的 曝光和网络机会。最后，埃尔南德斯先生将受到鼓励， 在未来的F31中发展自己的研究思路。

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.