Advanced Restoration Therapies In Spinal Cord Injury
Abstract
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a therapeutic intervention based on the concept that the plasticity of the impaired central nervous system can be harnessed through induction of activity. As an activity-based intervention, FES is administered to patients with spinal cord injuries. The mechanisms through which FES generates neurological recovery remain unclear. We have now development a mouse model for long-term delivery of FES after SCI, and this is the most significant deliverable of the current project. The major finding that we have uncovered through this model is that FES improves neurological function particularly motor function. This improvement was observed in the subacute and subchronic stages of SCI. In our work, where the SCI was moderate the improvements pertained to fine motor function but not gross motor function. Direct mechanisms that lead to such improvements remain unresolved but we have begun to uncover these as well. The major discovery in this area is that mechanisms responsible for neurological recovery include a regenerative oligodendroglia response. This finding is particularly relevant because it increases the clinical utility of FES to include treatment for myelin-based disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1056828
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