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Behavioral Assessment of Manual Dexterity in Non-Human Primates
Published on: November 11, 2011
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A novel paraplegia model in awake behaving macaques
Max O Krucoff1, Katie Zhuang2, David MacLeod3
1Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; max.krucoff@duke.edu.
Journal of Neurophysiology
|July 14, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a novel implantable system for temporary paralysis in macaques, enabling ethical studies of spinal cord injury and neuroprosthetics. This method allows for temporary sensorimotor blockade, facilitating crucial research without permanent harm to animals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Primate Models
- Spinal Cord Injury Research
Background:
- Lower limb paralysis from spinal cord injury (SCI) or neurological disease presents significant challenges for recovery and quality of life.
- Advancement in neurophysiological and neuroprosthetic research is hindered by the lack of ethical and sustainable nonhuman primate models for paraplegia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for inducing temporary, reversible paraplegia in awake, behaving nonhuman primates.
- To establish an ethical and sustainable model for studying the acute neurological response to spinal cord injury and recovery.
- To facilitate the development and testing of neural interface decoding algorithms for lower extremity dysfunction.
Main Methods:
- Development of a fully implantable lumbar epidural catheter-subcutaneous port system for targeted drug delivery.
- Induction of temporary paralysis in three rhesus macaques using percutaneous injection of lidocaine with epinephrine into the epidural catheter.
- Monitoring of sensorimotor blockade via surface electromyography (EMG) during treadmill walking.
Main Results:
- Successful induction of temporary paralysis, characterized by diminished EMG amplitude, loss of voluntary leg movement, and inability to bear weight, lasting 60-90 minutes.
- Complete functional recovery observed in all animals post-paralysis.
- The implanted port system remained functional for several months, and animals remained alert and cooperative throughout the trials.
Conclusions:
- The novel implantable system enables ethical, temporary induction of paraplegia in nonhuman primates, providing a valuable model for neurophysiological and neuroprosthetic research.
- This technique allows for unprecedented live recordings from the central nervous system during the onset, maintenance, and resolution of paralysis.
- It negates the need for permanent injury in research animals, supporting ethical research practices for spinal cord injury and neural interface development.
