Acute neuromodulation restores spinally-induced motor responses after severe spinal cord injury

Exp Neurol. 2020 May:327:113246. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113246. Epub 2020 Feb 11.

Abstract

Epidural electrical spinal stimulation can facilitate recovery of volitional motor control in individuals that have been completely paralyzed for more than a year. We recently reported a novel neuromodulation method named Dynamic Stimulation (DS), which short-lastingly increased spinal excitability and generated a robust modulation of locomotor networks in fully-anesthetized intact adult rats. In the present study, we applied repetitive DS patterns to four lumbosacral segments acutely after a contusive injury at lumbar level. Repetitive DS delivery restored the spinally-evoked motor EMG responses that were previously suppressed by a calibrated spinal cord contusion. Sham experiments without DS delivery did not allow any spontaneous recovery. Thus, DS uniquely provides the potential for a greater long-term functional recovery after paralysis.

Keywords: Asynchronous noisy stimulation; Epidural interface; Multi-electrode array; Neuromodulation; Spinal contusion; Spinal reflexes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electromyography
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor / physiology*
  • Female
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Recovery of Function / physiology
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / therapy*
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation / methods*