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Adapting Human-Based Transcutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulation to Develop a Clinically Relevant Animal Model
Dillon C Malloy1, Maria Knikou2, Marie-Pascale Côté1
1Marion Murray Spinal Cord Research Center, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|April 12, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a novel animal model for transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) to study functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). This model mimics human responses and allows safe, repeated tSCS application in rats, modulating motor output.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is a promising neuromodulatory strategy for functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI).
- Current research predominantly focuses on human applications due to tSCS's noninvasive nature.
- A validated animal model is crucial for understanding tSCS mechanisms, neuroplasticity, and optimizing protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a novel thoracolumbar tSCS animal model.
- To ensure the model accurately recapitulates human tSCS studies.
- To enable repeated, stable tSCS administration in SCI animal models with minimal restraint.
Main Methods:
- Development of a thoracolumbar tSCS protocol in an animal model.
- Assessment of evoked potentials in leg muscles.
- Evaluation of tSCS effects on motor output after complete spinal cord transection in awake rats with minimal restraint.
Main Results:
- The animal model demonstrated bilateral evoked potentials in leg muscles, comparable to human responses.
- tSCS primarily activated dorsal root structures, consistent with human studies.
- Repeated tSCS was feasible, safe, and well-tolerated in awake rats post-SCI, modulating motor output.
Conclusions:
- A novel, validated animal model for tSCS has been established.
- This model facilitates the study of tSCS-induced neuroplasticity and functional recovery after SCI.
- The findings support further investigation into tSCS optimization for SCI treatment.
