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Treadmill locomotion in the intact and spinal mouse
Hugues Leblond1, Marion L'Esperance, Didier Orsal
1Centre de Recherche en Sciences Neurologiques, Department of Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1J4.
Summary
Mice can regain hindlimb locomotion within 14 days after spinal cord transection, exhibiting similar joint movements to intact mice. This natural recovery provides a baseline for evaluating spinal cord injury treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Locomotion Research
- Spinal Cord Injury Models
Background:
- Inbred mouse strains are valuable for spinal cord injury (SCI) research due to well-defined genetics.
- Establishing baseline locomotor characteristics in normal and injured mice is crucial for evaluating treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document baseline locomotor patterns in intact mice.
- To assess the extent of hindlimb locomotion recovery after complete spinal transection in mice without pharmacological intervention.
Main Methods:
- Conventional kinematic and electromyography (EMG) techniques were used.
- Treadmill locomotion was analyzed in intact mice (n=11) and mice with T8 spinal cord transection (n=12).
Main Results:
- Conventional equipment adequately monitored kinematics and EMG in normal adult mice.
- Mice demonstrated hindlimb locomotion recovery within 14 days post-spinalization, without drugs.
- Recovered locomotion showed similar joint angular excursions (hip, knee, ankle) to intact mice, though joints were often more flexed.
- Out-of-phase limb alternation recovered, but homolateral limb timing was lost post-transection.
Conclusions:
- Mice exhibit a significant capacity for hindlimb locomotion recovery after complete spinalization.
- This inherent recovery ability is a critical factor when evaluating interventions for functional recovery post-spinal cord injury.