Reinnervation of peripheral nerve grafts by spinal cord fibres tested by transcranial brain stimulation

A scheme for surgery in patients with avulsed roots is represented by a rat model whose left sciatic nerve was grafted upon the right sciatic nerve, the proximal end of the graft being introduced into the spinal cord white matter. Transcranial stimulation, EMG recording, HRP and histological studies proved that the communication between the brain and the denervated muscles may be reestablished via the motoneurons, through the graft, bypassing the motor roots. Behavioral techniques were developed and will be tested in the future. The possibility of using neurotrophic drugs will be considered.