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Published on: March 24, 2020
Sciatic Nerve Electrical Stimulation Enhances Locomotor Recovery in Rats Following Spinal Cord Contusion
Shih-Yen Tsai1, Jennifer A Schreiber1,2, Jordan Iordanou2
1Research Service, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, IL, USA.
Abstract:
Spinal cord injury affects over 300 000 individuals in the United States with limited treatment options for significant locomotor functional recovery. While functional electrical stimulation devices to assist reciprocal muscle contraction during movement are used in rehabilitation, their efficacy as a standalone treatment for direct nerve stimulation remains unclear.
Objective:
This study investigated the effects of direct bilateral sciatic nerve stimulation on functional recovery in an adult rat model of thoracic spinal cord contusion.
Method:
Twenty adult male Long Evans rats underwent T10 spinal cord contusion. Custom stimulator electrode cuffs were placed around bilateral sciatic nerves in the hindlimbs. Rats received electrical stimulation or sham stimulation for 30 minutes per day (Monday-Friday) over 6 weeks. Functional outcome was assessed weekly using the BBB locomotor scale.
Results:
Both groups showed normal hindlimb function pre-surgery (BBB score 21) and significant decline post-SCI and prior to stimulation. Rats in the stimulation group demonstrated significantly better BBB scores than the sham group over time (repeated measures 2-way ANOVA, P < .001).
Conclusion:
Daily bilateral sciatic nerve stimulation resulted in accelerated and significant improvement in hindlimb function after SCI compared to sham stimulation, as evaluated by BBB scores. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of this effect.
