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Developmental Changes in Locomotion and Sensorimotor Reflexes Following Spinal Cord Transection
Alleyna C Martes1, Aimee L Bozeman1, Julie Doell1
1Department of Psychology, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, USA.
Developmental Psychobiology
|October 30, 2024
Summary
Spinal cord transection in neonatal rats reveals the lumbar spinal cord
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) impacts sensorimotor function development.
- The second postnatal week is critical for spinal sensorimotor development and recovery in rats.
- Mechanisms of plasticity after neonatal SCI are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize developmental changes in weight-bearing locomotion and sensorimotor reflexes after SCI during the second postnatal week.
- To establish a baseline for future research and potential interventions for neonatal SCI.
Main Methods:
- Complete low-thoracic spinal cord transection (T8-T10) or sham surgery in rats on postnatal day 1.
- Assessment of spontaneous locomotion, hindlimb weight bearing, and sensorimotor reflexes (surface righting, hindlimb placing, crossed-extensor reflex) on postnatal days 7, 14, and 21.
Main Results:
- Spinal-transected and sham rats showed similar spontaneous locomotion, but differing hindlimb weight-bearing patterns over time.
- Neonatal rats with SCI demonstrated preserved sensorimotor reflexes, indicating functional capacity of the isolated lumbar spinal cord.
Conclusions:
- The neonatal lumbar spinal cord retains the ability to process sensory input and generate coordinated motor output post-transection.
- Understanding these developmental trajectories is crucial for developing effective interventions to improve functional recovery after pediatric SCI.
