Recovery of locomotion after chronic spinalization in the adult cat

Barbeau, Hugues; Rossignol, Serge

doi:10.1016/0006-8993(87)91442-9

Cited by 756 publications

(482 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Experiments from our, and other, laboratories show that long-term step and stand training improves functional motor behaviour in adult spinal (i.e., completely spinally transected at the mid-thoracic level) cats and neonatal spinal rats [1,2,9,10,12,14,17,31,34]. For example, adult spinal cats trained to step repetitively exhibit kinematic characteristics and hindlimb muscle activation patterns that approximate those of uninjured controls [1,10]. Similarly, adult spinal cats that were trained daily to stand (i.e., hindlimb weight-bearing) for extended periods of time learned to support their weight for longer durations than non-trained or step-trained cats, although their ability to step was greatly compromised [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…Spinally-mediated motor responses to a variety of peripheral stimuli may be exhibited within seconds, minutes, days, or even months, although the responses change over time after a spinal cord injury (SCI) [5,10,11,13,23]. Experiments from our, and other, laboratories show that long-term step and stand training improves functional motor behaviour in adult spinal (i.e., completely spinally transected at the mid-thoracic level) cats and neonatal spinal rats [1,2,9,10,12,14,17,31,34]. For example, adult spinal cats trained to step repetitively exhibit kinematic characteristics and hindlimb muscle activation patterns that approximate those of uninjured controls [1,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Two chronic motor training paradigms differentially influence acute instrumental learning in spinally transected rats

Bigbee

Crown

Ferguson

et al. 2007

Behavioural Brain Research

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The effect of two chronic motor training paradigms on the ability of the lumbar spinal cord to perform an acute instrumental learning task was examined in neonatally (postnatal day 5; P5) spinal cord transected (i.e., spinal) rats. At ∼P30, rats began either unipedal hindlimb stand training (Stand-Tr; 20-25 min/day, 5 days/wk), or bipedal hindlimb step training (Step-Tr; 20 min/day; 5 days/wk) for 7 wks. Non-trained spinal rats (Non-Tr) served as controls. After 7 wks all groups were tested on the flexor-biased instrumental learning paradigm. We hypothesized that 1) Step-Tr rats would exhibit an increased capacity to learn the flexor-biased task relative to Non-Tr subjects, as locomotion involves repetitive training of the tibialis anterior (TA), the ankle flexor whose activation is important for successful instrumental learning, and 2) Stand-Tr rats would exhibit a deficit in acute motor learning, as unipedal training activates the ipsilateral ankle extensors, but not flexors. Results showed no differences in acute learning potential between Non-Tr and Step-Tr rats, while the Stand-Tr group showed a reduced capacity to learn the acute task. Further investigation of the Stand-Tr group showed that, while both the ipsilateral and contralateral hindlimbs were significantly impaired in their acute learning potential, the contralateral, untrained hindlimbs exhibited significantly greater learning deficits. These results suggest that different types of chronic peripheral input may have a significant impact on the ability to learn a novel motor task, and demonstrate the potential for experiencedependent plasticity in the spinal cord in the absence of supraspinal connectivity.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two chronic motor training paradigms differentially influence acute instrumental learning in spinally transected rats

Bigbee

Crown

Ferguson

et al. 2007

Behavioural Brain Research

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“…36 The main objective of the present study was to measure how SCI subjects adapt to changes in the walking speed. Studies of hindlimb locomotion in spinalized cats [37][38][39] have shown that adaptation to increasing treadmill speed was possible, but that this adaptation was limited to a maximal speed varying between 0.8 and 1.0 m/s. In the spinal cat, the limited adaptation to increases in speed is presumably because of the absence of descending tracts and achieved with input solely from peripheral influence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treadmill walking in incomplete spinal-cord-injured subjects: 1. Adaptation to changes in speed

2003

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Walking in spinal-cord-injured (SCI) subjects is usually achieved at a lower speed than in normal subjects. Study design/methods: Time and distance parameters, angular displacements of lower limbs and electromyographic (EMG) activity were measured for seven normal and seven SCI subjects at several walking speeds. Analyses of variance were used for comparing groups and speeds. Objectives: First, to measure the adaptability of SCI subjects' walking pattern to different speeds (0.1-1.0 m/s), and to compare it to that of normal subjects. Second, to characterize SCI subjects' walking pattern as compared to that of normal subjects at a matched treadmill speed (0.3 m/s). Setting: University-Based Human Gait Laboratory, Montreal, Canada. Results: SCI subjects' pattern adapted to a limited range of speeds. Longer cycle duration, flexed knee at foot contact, increased hip joint flexion at foot contact and during swing, and altered coordination of hip and knee joints were found for the SCI group. At all speeds, duration of muscle activity was longer in the SCI group and the increase in amplitude of soleus EMG activity at higher speeds was not specific to push-off. The importance of matching the walking speed of SCI and normal subjects in order to differentiate the features that are a consequence of SCI subjects' reduced walking speed rather than a direct consequence of the injury is demonstrated. Conclusions: All SCI subjects could adapt to a narrow range of speeds and only three could reach the maximal tested speed. This limited maximal speed seems to be a consequence of SCI subjects having reached their limit in increasing stride length and not being able to increase stride frequency further. This limitation in increasing stride frequency is likely because of the altered neural drive. Sponsorship: Neuroscience Network of the Canadian Centre of Excellence.

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“…Initial studies showed that animals developed stepping patterns on a treadmill if their weight was partially supported and their balance stabilized. 345 Strong pinching of the perianal and abdominal regions was only necessary in the first few days of step training and could be reduced to very light stimulation over the following 3 weeks. All aspects of locomotor behavior improved over the subsequent months, and animals were able to support their body weight, often stepping on the treadmill for up to 10 min before losing their balance.…”

Section: Practice Makes Perfectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Setting the stage for functional repair of spinal cord injuries: a cast of thousands

2005

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Here we review mechanisms and molecules that necessitate protection and oppose axonal growth in the injured spinal cord, representing not only a cast of villains but also a company of therapeutic targets, many of which have yet to be fully exploited. We next discuss recent progress in the fields of bridging, overcoming conduction block and rehabilitation after spinal cord injury (SCI), where several treatments in each category have entered the spotlight, and some are being tested clinically. Finally, studies that combine treatments targeting different aspects of SCI are reviewed. Although experiments applying some treatments in combination have been completed, auditions for each part in the much-sought combination therapy are ongoing, and performers must demonstrate robust anatomical regeneration and/or significant return of function in animal models before being considered for a lead role.Spinal Cord (2005) 43, 134-161.

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Recovery of locomotion after chronic spinalization in the adult cat

Cited by 756 publications

References 15 publications

Two chronic motor training paradigms differentially influence acute instrumental learning in spinally transected rats

Two chronic motor training paradigms differentially influence acute instrumental learning in spinally transected rats

Treadmill walking in incomplete spinal-cord-injured subjects: 1. Adaptation to changes in speed

Setting the stage for functional repair of spinal cord injuries: a cast of thousands

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