Humane Non-Human Primate Model of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Quantitative Analysis of Electromyographic Data

Abstract

A valid non human primate model of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is essential to evaluate and develop new treatments. In previous experiments, it has been demonstrated that a transmitter can be implanted in the macaque fasicularis monkey that measures electromyographic data from the musculature of the tail. As well, previous experiments have demonstrated that selective lesions can be created in the lower thoracic spinal cord that does not cause limb weakness and/or bowel dysfunction. The histopathological features of these lesions appear similar to human TSCI. This paper describes a method by which the EMG data can be transformed into a quantitative metric of volitional limb movement ("Q"). This metric permits an objective assessment of injury, natural recovery as well as potential efficacy of candidate treatments. KeywordsSpinal Cord Injury, Animal Model, Electromyography N. Seth et al. 162

Correlation of Pathological Findings with MRI Imaging in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Hyperacute Time Period in Non Human Primate Model

“…In human TSCI, there is a rapid transfer of energy; in this NHP model, this corresponds to the initial rapid balloon inflation. In human injury, this is followed by residual displacement of tissues such as disk material, bony fragments, or hematoma; in this experiment, this corresponds to the continued balloon inflation [6] [7] [8] [9].…”