Enhancing Propriospinal Relays to Improve Functional Recovery after SCI
Abstract
This is the first annual report for the grant to enhance propriospinal relays to bypass a contusion injury to the spinal cord. We have completed experiments for subtask 1 through 4 of specific aim 1 and analysis of data for subtasks 2. We are still analyzing data for subtasks 3 through 4 which will be complete by the end of the year. Our data shows spontaneous recovery might be due to the preservation of several pathways including the pontine and medullary reticulospinal and the cervical propriospinal tracts. These are the primary neuronal population with surviving axons bypassing the lesion after a moderate contusion injury to the T10 region. This information will allow us to determine in plasticity rostral to the injury site participates in the recovery. However, corticospinal axons could sprouting into either the pontine or medullary reticular formation in addition to the cervical spinal cord. We are presently analyzing connectivity of other supraspinal pathways onto the cervical propriospinal neurons. The slight delay in analysis will not delay the overall experimental goals and we are proceeding to begin silencing experiments to determine the contribution of the surviving pathways to functional recovery. We are also planning to start pilot studies to examine regeneration and sprouting mediated by inhibiting PTEN using our peptides.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1022069
Entities
People
- George M. Smith
Organizations
- Temple University