Direct neurotization of muscles by presynaptic motoneurons

The spinal cord cannot heal after severance because the central nervous system is "non-permissive" to the advancement of axons that regrow from presynaptic motoneurons. With the aim of overcoming paraplegia, the author has carried out extensive experimental research since 1980, first in rats and subsequently in monkeys, severing the cord and connecting its cephalad stump with the muscular nerve branches by means of peripheral-nerve grafts, and using various surgical protocols. Functional connections were established, ascertained by physical, electrophysiologic, and histologic examinations. In this reported study, it is demonstrated that presynaptic motoneurons are also able to reconstruct the cytoskeleton of peripheral neurons, as well as motor end-plates. The possibility of elongation of the axons of presynaptic motoneurons into the peripheral nerve up to the muscle had not previously even been hypotheized. This possibility, which has now been validated, can open the door to new surgical techniques for spinal-cord lesions. In addition, the author presents preliminary results from a single human case, utilizing the surgical procedures of the preceding animal experiments.