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The behavioral and dendritic growth effects of focal sensorimotor cortical damage depend on the method of lesion
Ann C Voorhies1, Theresa A Jones
1Psychology Department, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
Abstract:
Using different models of focal cortical injury in adult rats, the neural structural and behavioral outcomes of unilateral lesions of the forelimb representation of the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) were assessed. Lesions were produced using either electrolytic, aspiration, or combined ('electroaspiration') techniques. Measurements of dendritic arborization in layer V of the motor cortex opposite the lesion revealed a growth of pyramidal neuron dendritic processes following electrolytic lesions in comparison to shams. This effect was not found in either the aspiration or electroaspiration lesion groups. Behaviorally, animals in all lesion groups developed a hyper-reliance on the forelimb ipsilateral to the lesion and proportionate disuse of the contralateral (impaired) forelimb for postural support behaviors. In comparison to sham-operated animals, the initial asymmetries in behaviors expressed during movement were similar between lesion groups, but were less enduring following electrolytic lesions than following aspiration and electroaspiration lesions. Furthermore, both aspiration lesion groups had more prevalent adduction of the impaired forelimb than the electrolytic-only lesion rats. Thus, cortical aspiration resulted in more severe and enduring forelimb impairments than the electrolytic lesions, despite similar lesion sizes, as assessed using cortical volume measures. These findings suggest that the aspiration lesion procedures, at least as performed in the present study, exacerbate the behavioral effects of focal cortical injury and limit compensatory plasticity in the contralateral cortex.
Insights
Electrolytic lesions in rats showed some neural regrowth, but aspiration lesions caused more severe, lasting forelimb impairments and limited brain plasticity after focal cortical injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurobiology
- Experimental Neurology
Background:
- Focal cortical injury can result from various lesioning techniques.
- Understanding the differential impact of these techniques is crucial for interpreting neuroplasticity and behavioral outcomes.
- The sensorimotor cortex (SMC) controls voluntary movement and somatosensation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the neural structural and behavioral outcomes of different focal cortical injury models.
- To investigate the effects of electrolytic, aspiration, and combined lesion techniques on the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) in adult rats.
- To assess the impact of lesion type on dendritic arborization and forelimb function.
Main Methods:
- Adult rats underwent unilateral SMC lesions using electrolytic, aspiration, or electroaspiration techniques.
- Dendritic arborization of layer V pyramidal neurons in the contralateral motor cortex was measured.
- Behavioral assessments focused on forelimb use for postural support and movement asymmetries.
Main Results:
- Electrolytic lesions promoted dendritic growth in contralateral pyramidal neurons, unlike aspiration or electroaspiration.
- All lesion groups exhibited ipsilateral forelimb reliance and contralateral forelimb disuse.
- Aspiration lesions led to more persistent forelimb impairments and adduction compared to electrolytic lesions.
Conclusions:
- Aspiration lesion techniques exacerbate behavioral deficits and hinder compensatory plasticity more than electrolytic lesions.
- The method of inducing focal cortical injury significantly influences neural structural plasticity and long-term functional recovery.
- Findings highlight the importance of lesion methodology in studying brain injury and repair.
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