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Implantation and Control of Wireless, Battery-free Systems for Peripheral Nerve Interfacing
Published on: October 20, 2021
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Sensation, mechanoreceptor, and nerve fiber function after nerve regeneration
Christian Krarup1,2, Birgitta Rosén3, Michel Boeckstyns4
1Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Neuroscience Center, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark.
Annals of Neurology
|November 21, 2017
Summary
Peripheral nerve repair improves touch sensation but not tactile gnosis. Regenerated nerve fiber function impacts touch, while tactile gnosis relies on central nervous system processing, explaining poor recovery.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Peripheral Nerve Injury
Background:
- Sensation is crucial for recovery after peripheral nerve injury.
- The link between specific sensory abilities and regenerated nerve function remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the relationship between touch threshold, tactile gnosis, and mechanoreceptor/sensory fiber function post-nerve regeneration.
- Compare outcomes between collagen nerve conduit repair and direct suture.
Main Methods:
- Studied 21 median or ulnar nerve lesions repaired via conduit or suture.
- Performed quantitative sensory testing and near-nerve conduction studies for 2 years.
- Assessed tactile stimulation of mechanoreceptors and compared to uninjured hands.
Main Results:
- Touch thresholds recovered to 81% of control, while tactile gnosis only reached 20%.
- Sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) showed dispersed waveforms, with reduced areas (23%) and amplitudes (7%).
- Touch sensation correlated with SNAP areas and inversely with latency, but tactile gnosis showed no electrophysiological correlation.
Conclusions:
- Regenerated peripheral nerve fiber function differentially impacts sensory recovery.
- Touch recovery is influenced by regenerated fibers and mechanoreceptors.
- Poor tactile gnosis recovery is linked to central nervous system processing and desynchronized nerve fiber maturation.
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