Cortical remodeling after electroacupuncture therapy in peripheral nerve repairing model

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Regenerative Medicine
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) often leads to long-term functional deficits.
• Electroacupuncture (EA) is explored as a therapeutic approach for PNI, with effects potentially extending beyond the treatment period.
• Understanding the sustained neurological impact of EA is crucial for optimizing PNI treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the sustained effects of Electroacupuncture (EA) on brain activity in a rat model of peripheral nerve injury (PNI).
• To elucidate the neuroplasticity changes associated with EA therapy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
• To correlate brain alterations with functional recovery in PNI rats undergoing EA treatment.

Main Methods:

• Sciatic nerve transection and anastomosis were performed on rats, divided into normal, model, and EA intervention groups.
• EA was applied continuously for 4 months at specific acupoints (ST-36, GB-30) in the intervention group.
• Behavioral assessments (gait, thermal withdrawal) and resting-state fMRI were conducted at 1 and 4 months post-surgery.

Main Results:

• The EA intervention group showed significant improvements in gait parameters (MCMI) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) compared to the model group.
• fMRI revealed a remolding pattern in the somatosensory and sensorimotor integration areas, characterized by altered Amplitude of Low Frequency Fluctuations (ALFF) in both hemispheres.
• Interhemispheric functional connectivity (FC) between somatosensory cortices was reduced after EA therapy, contrasting with increased FC in the PNI model group.

Conclusions:

• Sustained EA therapy promotes neuroplasticity in both regional and extensive brain networks in PNI rats.
• EA appears to reverse maladaptive plasticity induced by peripheral nerve injury.
• The findings support EA as a viable therapy for promoting functional recovery after PNI through modulation of brain networks.