Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
09:09
A Murine Model of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury to Study Post-lesional Respiratory Neuroplasticity
Published on: May 28, 2014
Respiratory recovery following high cervical hemisection
M S Sandhu1, B J Dougherty, M A Lane
1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Public Health and Health Professions, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology
|June 30, 2009
Summary
Respiratory recovery after C2 spinal cord hemisection (C2HS) in rats shows altered phrenic motor neuron (PhrMN) synchrony. PhrMN synchrony recovers by 12 weeks post-injury, suggesting altered synaptic inputs to PhrMNs.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Respiratory Physiology
- Spinal Cord Injury Research
Background:
- C2 spinal cord hemisection (C2HS) impairs respiratory function, leading to rapid, shallow breathing.
- Ventilation is maintained post-C2HS, but deficits emerge during hypercapnic challenges due to reduced tidal volume.
- Modest recovery of tidal volume occurs by 12 weeks post-injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ipsilateral (IL) and contralateral (CL) phrenic motor neuron (PhrMN) synchrony following C2HS.
- To explore the neuroanatomical pathways involved in PhrMN recovery post-C2HS.
- To analyze changes in PhrMN synchrony over time after injury.
Main Methods:
- Utilized cross-correlation analysis to assess IL and CL PhrMN synchrony in rats post-C2HS.
- Compared PhrMN synchrony in uninjured rats, 2 weeks post-C2HS, and 12 weeks post-C2HS.
- Examined neuroanatomical evidence for mono- and polysynaptic pathways influencing PhrMN recovery.
Main Results:
- Uninjured rats exhibited PhrMN synchrony with common synaptic input.
- Correlogram peaks, indicative of synchrony, were absent at 2 weeks post-C2HS.
- By 12 weeks post-C2HS, 50% of rats displayed synchrony peaks with a 1.1+/-0.19ms lag, suggesting prolonged conduction time to IL PhrMNs.
Conclusions:
- Phrenic motor neuron (PhrMN) synchrony is altered following C2 spinal cord hemisection (C2HS).
- Recovery of PhrMN synchrony by 12 weeks suggests a time-dependent process involving altered synaptic inputs.
- The observed lag in synchrony supports the involvement of polysynaptic pathways in ipsilateral PhrMN recovery post-C2HS.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Nasopharyngeal suctioning is a procedure to remove secretions from the upper part of the respiratory tract that the patient cannot clear independently. It helps maintain airway patency and prevents complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Equipment Required
Equipment Required
01:29Acute Respiratory Failure-V
The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Airway management is a key skill in emergency and critical care settings, as maintaining a clear airway is essential for adequate oxygenation and ventilation.Head Tilt-Chin Lift TechniqueThe head tilt-chin lift maneuver is an essential technique primarily used in patients without suspected cervical spine injuries. To perform this maneuver, one hand is placed on the patient’s forehead, and gentle pressure is applied backward to tilt the head. The fingertips of the other hand are positioned under...
01:26Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
01:30Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Hypercapnic respiratory failure, also known as Type 2 or ventilatory respiratory failure, is a severe condition characterized by the body's inability to effectively remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream. It leads to an arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) exceeding 45 mmHg and a blood pH above 7.35. This situation indicates that the body's ventilatory demand, or the ventilation needed to maintain normal PaCO2 levels, surpasses its supply or the maximum gas flow achievable without causing...
01:26Flail Chest-II
Managing flail chest, a condition characterized by a segment of the chest wall moving independently from the rest of the thoracic cage, requires a comprehensive approach. It includes a thorough assessment of the patient's condition, a diagnostic evaluation to determine the extent of the injury, and the implementation of appropriate medical interventions tailored to the individual's needs.
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History:
Assessment:
1. Clinical Evaluation:
History: