Die Autoren danken Dr. N. Banik und Dr. D. Mitchell für ihre Führung in der Entwicklung dieses Modells.

1. Vorbereitung Bevor Spinal Cord Injury Die chirurgischen Instrumente für diese Prozedur erforderlich sind Skalpell, Pickups mit und ohne Zähne, hemostats, selbsthaltend Gurtstraffer, feine Spitze rongeurs, Nadel-Treiber, resorbierbaren Fäden, und die Haut Clip-Applikatoren. Andere chirurgische Versorgung erforderlich sind OP-Abdeckungen, steril Blätter für OP-Feld, Gaze Schwämme, Baumwolle-Applikatoren, und Metallfolie. Autoklaven werden die chirurgischen Instrumente und Zubehör vor der Operation. Verwenden Sie die einzelnen Satz von Instrumenten und Zubehör für ein Tier. Reinigen Sie den OP-Bereich und eine Vorrichtung (Impaktor, Lichtquelle, stereotaktischen Rahmen, Glasperlen Sterilisatoren und Heizkissen) mit Alkoholtupfer. Öffnen Sie die OP-Abdeckungen und sterile Handschuhe, um das Operationsfeld sorgfältig Vermeidung von Kontaminationen drapieren. Öffnen Sie die einzelnen Instrumente steril und sorgfältig platzieren diejenigen in das OP-Feld. Decken Sie die Knöpfe und Griffe von the Gerät wahrscheinlich während des Verfahrens mit der sterilen Metallfolie benötigt. Schalten Sie die Glasperle Sterilisator, bereit zu sein für den Einsatz während des Verfahrens. 2. Vorbereitung der Tiere Bringt die Ratten im Labor-Bereich einige Stunden vor dem eigentlichen Verfahren. Verwalten Schmerzmittel mindestens eine Stunde vor dem erwarteten Verfahren (typischerweise buprinorphine 1,5 ml von 0,006 mg / ml subkutan). Verwalten präoperative Antibiotika (in der Regel Baytril 4 mg / kg subkutan). Anesthetize die Ratten mit 90 mg / kg Ketamin und warten, bis es keine Zehen Prise Antwort. Ertasten Sie den prominentesten Dornfortsatz in der Brustwirbelsäule. Dieses Niveau entspricht typischerweise mit T10 Dornfortsatz. Markieren Sie den Ort der geplanten Ebene in Bezug auf T10. In unserem Labor führen wir eine T10 Verletzungen. Die folgende Erzählung beschreibt die Technik des T10 SCI. Shave a 3 cm x 6 cm Rechteck längs und zentriert bei T10 Ebene. Reinigen Sie die Haut dreimal with Betadine Lösung. Apply Augen Schmiermittel auf jedes Auge. Übertragen Sie die Ratte in einer komfortablen Position, um das Operationsfeld sorgfältig Vermeidung von Kontaminationen. Legen Sie eine rektale Temperatursonde, um die Kerntemperatur überwachen und passen Sie die Heizung entsprechend zu Tier Temperatur so normal (~ 37,5 ° C) zu halten. Decken Sie die Ratte mit einem Operationstuch mit einem Fenster über dem OP-Gebiet. 3. Chirurgische Vorgehensweise Beginnen Sie mit einem ca. 4 cm langer Schnitt mit einem # 10 Klinge auf dem T10 Marke zentriert. Fahren Sie geduldig sezieren Faszie und Muskel Schichten weg von den T9-T11 Dornfortsätze und Plättchen. Zeigen Wundhaken, um Muskeln und Faszien Einfahren vom Knochen. Während die Stabilisierung der Dornfortsatz T9 scharf unterteilen die interspinalen Lig. zwischen T9 und T10 mit einer feinen Schere. Ebenso stabilisieren die T10 Dornfortsatz und teilen die interspinalen Band zwischen T10-T11. Verwenden Schleife Vergrößerung complete die Aufteilung der Bänder den ganzen Weg durch das Lig. flavum (Abbildung 1). Die Thekalsack ist leicht ersichtlich, wenn das Ligamentum flavum wird getrennt. Mit feiner Spitze rongeurs sorgfältig ausführen stückweise Laminektomie bilateral bei T10. Äußerste Sorgfalt wird angewendet, um einen Abwärtsdruck auf den Thekalsack und unbeabsichtigte Verletzungen von den rongeur Tipps vermeiden. Die Lamina und Dornfortsatz T10 vollständig entfernt wird. Bewegen Sie das Tier in Position auf Stabilisierung Plattform. Verwenden Stabilisierung Klemmen, um die Wirbelsäule durch Spannen der lateralen Seite des T11 Wirbelkörper durch die seitlichen Partien der T9 Wirbelkörper gefolgt immobilisieren. Achten Sie darauf, um die Ratte in die Plattform zu komprimieren mit den stabilisierenden Schellen wie dieser Raum für Atembewegungen einschränken würde und fügen unerwünschten Stress das Tier. Nach der Sicherung der Wirbelsäule Einstellungen auf dem Computer-gesteuerten Impaktor überprüft. Wir verwenden in der Regel Impaktor Spitze von 3,0 mm bei einer spEED von 4 cm / s mit einer Tiefe von 2 mm und einer Verweilzeit von 0,3 sec. Verlängern Sie die Impaktor Spitze und absenken, bis es berührt nur die Oberfläche Schnur. Fahren Sie die Spitze und senken das Gerät 2 mm in Richtung der Oberfläche des Rückenmarks. Lassen Kolben bei 4 cm / sec bis schwere Prellung des Rückenmarks Verletzungen verursachen. Erreiche Blutstillung mit gerade genug Druck, um die Baumwolle-Spitze-Applikator in Position zu halten, wobei Sie darauf achten, keinen unnötigen Druck auf das Kabel zu schaffen. Naht Muskeln und Faszien Schichten mit einer Figur-8 Stich man aufpassen, nicht zu eng ziehen Sie die Verwendung von resorbierbaren Fäden. Schließen Sie die Haut mit einem Minimum von 2 kleinen Heftklammern, bis zu 4 oder 5 Klammern verwendet werden, wenn Teile der Einschnitt nach den ersten 2 oder 3 Klammern offen bleiben werden. 3. Post-Prozedur Pflege Platz Ratten in einer warmen Umgebung von etwa 33-35 ° C für 24 Stunden nach der Operation. Dies bringt einen Inkubator (während sie bewusstlos sind) und einen beheizten Raum Käfig, sobald sie sich zu bewegen beginnen. Sobald Ratten sind voll awake, verwalten 5 ml Kochsalzlösung, 1,5 ml (0,006 mg / ml) von buprinorphine und 0,1 ml Baytril subkutan alle. Fahren Sie mit buprinorphine subkutan zweimal täglich für ersten 24-48 h und Baytril einmal täglich für 7 Tage. Blasen sollte manuell ausgedrückt werden dreimal täglich bis zur Rückkehr der Blasenfunktion (&lt;2 ml Urin in den frühen Morgenstunden Ausdruck an 3 aufeinanderfolgenden Tagen). Auch Tiere sollten während dieser Zeit für eine Infektion (Blut im Urin, weißliche Farbe, oder üblen Geruch) überprüft werden, verminderte körperliche Aktivität oder Probleme mit der Wundheilung. Zur Feststellung der Infektion sollten mit einer erhöhten Dosierung (oder Re-Initiation) von Antibiotika in Abstimmung mit den örtlichen Tierärzten begegnet werden. Wiegen Ratten täglich beginnend am Tag nach der Operation, um ihre Genesung zu beurteilen.

<ol>
	<li>Blesch, A., Tuszynski, M. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spinal+cord+injury:+plasticity,+regeneration+and+the+challenge+of+translational+drug+development.">Spinal cord injury: plasticity, regeneration and the challenge of translational drug development.</a> Trends Neurosci. 32, 41-47 (2009).</li><li>Dobkin, B. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Curiosity+and+cure:+translational+research+strategies+for+neural+repair-mediated+rehabilitation.">Curiosity and cure: translational research strategies for neural repair-mediated rehabilitation.</a> Dev. Neurobiol. 67, 1133-1147 (2007).</li><li>Fehlings, M. G., Cadotte, D. W., Fehlings, L. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+series+of+systematic+reviews+on+the+treatment+of+acute+spinal+cord+injury:+a+foundation+for+best+medical+practice.">A series of systematic reviews on the treatment of acute spinal cord injury: a foundation for best medical practice.</a> J. Neurotrauma. 28, 1329-1333 (2011).</li><li>Iseda, T., Okuda, T., Kane-Goldsmith, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Single,+high-dose+intraspinal+injection+of+chondroitinase+reduces+glycosaminoglycans+in+injured+spinal+cord+and+promotes+corticospinal+axonal+regrowth+after+hemisection+but+not+contusion.">Single, high-dose intraspinal injection of chondroitinase reduces glycosaminoglycans in injured spinal cord and promotes corticospinal axonal regrowth after hemisection but not contusion.</a> J. Neurotrauma. 25, 334-349 (2008).</li><li>Khan, T., Havey, R. M., Sayers, S. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Animal+models+of+spinal+cord+contusion+injuries.">Animal models of spinal cord contusion injuries.</a> Laboratory Animal Science. 49, 161-172 (1999).</li><li>Kim, B. G., Kang, Y. M., Phi, J. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Implantation+of+polymer+scaffolds+seeded+with+neural+stem+cells+in+a+canine+spinal+cord+injury+model.">Implantation of polymer scaffolds seeded with neural stem cells in a canine spinal cord injury model.</a> Cytotherapy. 12, 841-845 (2010).</li><li>Kim, J. H., Tu, T. W., Bayly, P. V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Impact+speed+does+not+determine+severity+of+spinal+cord+injury+in+mice+with+fixed+impact+displacement.">Impact speed does not determine severity of spinal cord injury in mice with fixed impact displacement.</a> Journal of Neurotrauma. 26, 1395-1404 (2009).</li><li>Kwon, B. K., Hillyer, J., Tetzlaff, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Translational+research+in+spinal+cord+injury:+a+survey+of+opinion+from+the+SCI+community.">Translational research in spinal cord injury: a survey of opinion from the SCI community.</a> J. Neurotrauma. 27, 21-33 (2010).</li><li>Kwon, B. K., Okon, E. B., Tsai, E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+grading+system+to+evaluate+objectively+the+strength+of+pre-clinical+data+of+acute+neuroprotective+therapies+for+clinical+translation+in+spinal+cord+injury.">A grading system to evaluate objectively the strength of pre-clinical data of acute neuroprotective therapies for clinical translation in spinal cord injury.</a> J. Neurotrauma. 28, 1525-1543 (2011).</li><li>Norenberg, M. D., Smith, J., Marcillo, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+pathology+of+human+spinal+cord+injury:+defining+the+problems.">The pathology of human spinal cord injury: defining the problems.</a> J. Neurotrauma. 21, 429-440 (2004).</li><li>Siegenthaler, M. M., Tu, M. K., Keirstead, H. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+extent+of+myelin+pathology+differs+following+contusion+and+transection+spinal+cord+injury.">The extent of myelin pathology differs following contusion and transection spinal cord injury.</a> J. Neurotrauma. 24, 1631-1646 (2007).</li><li>Talac, R., Friedman, J. A., Moore, M. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Animal+models+of+spinal+cord+injury+for+evaluation+of+tissue+engineering+treatment+strategies.">Animal models of spinal cord injury for evaluation of tissue engineering treatment strategies.</a> Biomaterials. 25, 1505-1510 (2004).</li><li>Tator, C. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Review+of+treatment+trials+in+human+spinal+cord+injury:+issues,+difficulties,+and+recommendations.">Review of treatment trials in human spinal cord injury: issues, difficulties, and recommendations.</a> Neurosurgery. 59, 957-982 (2006).</li></ol>

Offenlegung der Finanzen keine Funding Offenlegung keine.

Mehrere neuartige Behandlungen wurden kürzlich frühen Versprechen im Bereich der SCI die Forschung gezeigt. 3 sorgfältige Auswertung dieser Behandlungen ist in klinisch relevanten Modell SCI wichtig, Strategien mit maximaler translationalen Potenzial auszuwählen. Ein Schema der Einstufung wurde vor kurzem entwickelt, um die Stärke der präklinischen Studien zu evaluieren. 9 Diese Regelung betont die Bedeutung der Verwendung von schweren Prellung Modell SCI. Hier beschreiben wir ein solches Mod...

Wahl des geeigneten Modells Verletzung ist entscheidend für die präklinische Evaluierung neuer Behandlungen für Rückenmarksverletzungen (SCI). 1,2,13 In einer aktuellen Umfrage von Ärzten und Wissenschaftlern auf dem Gebiet der Neurotrauma Prellung Modell, um Hemisektion oder vollständige Durchtrennung Modelle Gegensatz wurde allgemein akzeptiert als klinisch relevant. 8 Diese Meinung auf der Beobachtung, dass die Mehrheit der Verletzungen des Rückenmarks beim Menschen in der Natur ist kontusive beruht. 10 Die Biologie der Prellung scheint auch anders zu sein Hemisektion oder Durchtrennung Modelle. Iseda 11, et al. verglichen die Wirkung von intraspinal Chondroitinase ABC Injektion auf Neuroregeneration separat in Hemisektion und Prellung Modelle. 4 axonale Regeneration wurde in der neuronalen Brücke in Hemisektion beobachtet, nicht aber die Prellung SCI Gruppe. Die Hemisektion oder vollständige Durchtrennung Modelle auch Bedingungen schaffen, bekannt zu existieren nur in einer sehr kleinen Teil der clinical Umständen. Zum Beispiel haben mehrere Forscher Gerüst-basierte Interventionen zur Implantation verwendet in der Läsion Hohlraum nach Hemisektion oder vollständige Durchtrennung der Regeneration zu fördern. 6 Dieser Ansatz wird klinisch irrelevant, weil Schaffung eines Hohlraums innerhalb verletzte Rückenmark ist unpraktisch und wahrscheinlich unethisch. Variabilität in der funktionellen Erholung bleibt eine große Herausforderung für die Prellung Modelle. 5,12 Diese Variabilität kann durch den Einsatz von Computer-gesteuerten Impaktor und Stabilisierung der Wirbelsäule vor dem Aufprall für eine gleichmäßige Antrieb über das Rückenmark Volumen vor allem die ventral motorischen Bahnen minimiert werden . Anzumerken ist, dass Plastizität und Sicherheiten Beitrag von überlebenden Axone der vorherrschende Mechanismus der Regeneration nach Verletzungen des Rückenmarks ist werden. 1 Daher auch geringfügige Änderungen in Technik Prellung kann deutlich unterschiedlichen Ergebnissen führen. Zu diesem Zweck haben wir entwickeltein Modell der schweren Verletzungen des Rückenmarks, die im Einklang Kontusionsvolumen und funktionelle Erholung vergleichbar mit Durchtrennung Modelle ergibt. Dieses Modell kann für die Untersuchung sowohl die Neuroprotektion und Neuroregeneration Strategien als Proof of Concept für die Wirksamkeit der Behandlung eingesetzt werden.

<table border="1">
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Instrument/Drugs</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Cat #</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Computer controlled impactor</td>
 <td>Leica or the Infinite Horizons (formerly OSU) impactor</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Surgical instruments </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Scissors</td>
 <td>Fine Science Tools Inc
 </td>
 <td>14094-11 or 14060-09</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Forceps</td>
 <td>Fine Science Tools Inc </td>
 <td>11006-12 and 11027-12 or 			11506-12</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Hemostats</td>
 <td>Fine Science Tools Inc </td>
 <td>13009-12</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Retractors</td>
 <td>Fine Science Tools Inc </td>
 <td>17011-10</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Rongeurs</td>
 <td>Fine Science Tools Inc </td>
 <td>16020-14</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Needle driver</td>
 <td>Fine Science Tools Inc </td>
 <td>12001-13</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Stereotactic frame</td>
 <td> Leica or RWD Life Science Co. or
 TSE systems</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Buprinorphine</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Baytril</td>
 <td>Bayer</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Ketamine</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

a contusion model of severe spinal cord injury in rats

Die translationale Potenzial neuartiger Behandlungen sollten bei schweren Verletzungen des Rückenmarks (SCI) Prellung Modelle untersucht werden. Eine detaillierte Methodik wird beschrieben, um ein konsistentes Modell der schweren SCI erhalten. Verwendung eines stereotaktischen Rahmen und computergesteuerte Impaktor ermöglicht die Erzeugung von reproduzierbaren Verletzungen. Hypothermie und Harnwegsinfektion erhebliche Herausforderungen in der postoperativen Phase. Eine sorgfältige Überwachung der Tiere mit tägliche Aufnahme und Blase Ausdruck ermöglicht die frühzeitige Erkennung von postoperativen Komplikationen. Die funktionellen Ergebnisse dieser Prellung Modell entsprechen Durchtrennung Modelle. Die Quetschung Modell kann verwendet werden, um die Wirksamkeit der beiden neuroprotektive und neuroregenerative Ansätze zu bewerten.

Läsionsvolumen Wir haben große und konsequente Läsion Volumina nach der oben beschriebenen Technik erhalten. Mit einem blauen Färbung Luxol schnell eine mittlere Läsion Volumen von 2,04 mm 3 (95% CI 1,9 bis 2,18) (n = 5 Tiere) erhalten wurde. Abbildung 2 zeigt die mittlere Läsionsvolumen mit einem Vertreter Färbung mit Luxol schnell blau durch die Läsion Epizentrum. Functional Scores Die Verhaltens-Noten ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Contusion Model of Severe Spinal Cord Injury in Rats at JoVE.com

A Contusion Model of Severe Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Ein Modell der Quetschung schweren Verletzungen des Rückenmarks beschrieben. Detaillierte präoperative, operative und postoperative Schritte beschrieben, um ein konsistentes Modell zu erhalten.

Eine Prellung Model of Severe Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

The translational potential of novel treatments should be investigated in severe spinal cord injury (SCI) contusion models. A detailed methodology is ...

a-contusion-model-of-severe-spinal-cord-injury-in-rats

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

30.3K Aufrufe.  Medical University of South Carolina. Ein Modell der Quetschung schweren Verletzungen des Rückenmarks beschrieben. Detaillierte präoperative, operative und postoperative Schritte beschrieben, um ein konsistentes Modell zu erhalten.

Serie: A Contusion Model of Severe Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Acute and Chronic Tactile Sensory Testing after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs sensory systems causing allodynia1-8. To identify cellular and molecular causes of allodynia, sensitive and valid sensory testing in rat SCI models is needed. However, until recently, no single testing approach had been validated for SCI so that standardized methods have not been implemented across labs. Additionally, available testing methods could not be implemented acutely or when severe motor impairments existed, preventing studies of the development of SCI-induced allodynia3. Here we present two validated sensory testing methods using von Frey Hair (VFH) monofilaments which quantify changes in tactile sensory thresholds after SCI4-5. One test is the well-established Up-Down test which demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity across different SCI severities when tested chronically5. The other test is a newly-developed dorsal VFH test that can be applied acutely after SCI when allodynia develops, prior to motor recovery4-5. Each VFH monofilament applies a calibrated force when touched to the skin of the hind paw until it bends. In the up-down method, alternating VFHs of higher or lower forces are used on the plantar L5 dermatome to delineate flexor withdrawal thresholds. Successively higher forces are applied until withdrawal occurs then lower force VFHs are used until withdrawal ceases. The tactile threshold reflects the force required to elicit withdrawal in 50% of the stimuli. For the new test, each VFH is applied to the dorsal L5 dermatome of the paw while the rat is supported by the examiner. The VFH stimulation occurs in ascending order of force until at least 2 of 3 applications at a given force produces paw withdrawal. Tactile sensory threshold is the lowest force to elicit withdrawal 66% of the time. Acclimation, testing and scoring procedures are described. Aberrant trials that require a retest and typical trials are defined. Animal use was approved by Ohio State University Animal Care and Use Committee.

We describe two tactile sensory testing methods for acute or chronic periods of spinal cord injury in rats. These validated procedures can detect the development and maintenance of allodynia-like sensations.

Akute und chronische taktile Sensorische Testung nach Verletzungen des Rückenmarks bei der Ratte

Spinal cord injury (SCI) impairs sensory systems causing allodynia1-8. To identify cellular and molecular causes of allodynia, sensitive and valid sensory ...

Forschung

Medizin

Evaluation of Respiratory Muscle Activation Using Respiratory Motor Control Assessment (RMCA) in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

During breathing, activation of respiratory muscles is coordinated by integrated input from the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. When this coordination is disrupted by spinal cord injury (SCI), control of respiratory muscles innervated below the injury level is compromised1,2 leading to respiratory muscle dysfunction and pulmonary complications. These conditions are among the leading causes of death in patients with SCI3. Standard pulmonary function tests that assess respiratory motor function include spirometrical and maximum airway pressure outcomes: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (PImax) and Maximal Expiratory Pressure (PEmax)4,5. These values provide indirect measurements of respiratory muscle performance6. In clinical practice and research, a surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded from respiratory muscles can be used to assess respiratory motor function and help to diagnose neuromuscular pathology. However, variability in the sEMG amplitude inhibits efforts to develop objective and direct measures of respiratory motor function6. Based on a multi-muscle sEMG approach to characterize motor control of limb muscles7, known as the voluntary response index (VRI)8, we developed an analytical tool to characterize respiratory motor control directly from sEMG data recorded from multiple respiratory muscles during the voluntary respiratory tasks. We have termed this the Respiratory Motor Control Assessment (RMCA)9. This vector analysis method quantifies the amount and distribution of activity across muscles and presents it in the form of an index that relates the degree to which sEMG output within a test-subject resembles that from a group of healthy (non-injured) controls. The resulting index value has been shown to have high face validity, sensitivity and specificity9-11. We showed previously9 that the RMCA outcomes significantly correlate with levels of SCI and pulmonary function measures. We are presenting here the method to quantitatively compare post-spinal cord injury respiratory multi-muscle activation patterns to those of healthy individuals.

Evaluation of Respiratory Muscle Activation Using Respiratory Motor Control Assessment RMCA in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

The purpose of this publication is to present our original work on a multi-muscle surface electromyographic approach to quantitatively characterize respiratory muscle activation patterns in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury using vector-based analysis.

Auswertung der Respiratory Muscle Activation Mit Respiratory Motor Control Assessment (RMCA) bei Personen mit chronischen Spinal Cord Injury

During breathing, activation of respiratory muscles is coordinated by integrated input from the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord. When this coordination ...

Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury

Every year over a million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Combined with the incidence of TBIs worldwide, the physical, emotional, social, and economical effects are staggering. Therefore, further research into the effects of TBI and effective treatments is necessary. The controlled cortical impact (CCI) model induces traumatic brain injuries ranging from mild to severe. This method uses a rigid impactor to deliver mechanical energy to an intact dura exposed following a craniectomy. Impact is made under precise parameters at a set velocity to achieve a pre-determined deformation depth. Although other TBI models, such as weight drop and fluid percussion, exist, CCI is more accurate, easier to control, and most importantly, produces traumatic brain injuries similar to those seen in humans. However, no TBI model is currently able to reproduce pathological changes identical to those seen in human patients. The CCI model allows investigation into the short-term and long-term effects of TBI, such as neuronal death, memory deficits, and cerebral edema, as well as potential therapeutic treatments for TBI.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) remain a serious health problem. Using the controlled cortical impact surgery model, research on the effects of TBI and possible treatment methods may be performed.

Controlled Cortical Impact-Modell für traumatische Hirnverletzung

Every year over a million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Combined with the incidence of TBIs worldwide, the physical, emotional, ...

A Radio-telemetric System to Monitor Cardiovascular Function in Rats with Spinal Cord Transection and Embryonic Neural Stem Cell Grafts

High thoracic or cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to cardiovascular dysfunction. To monitor cardiovascular parameters, we implanted a catheter connected to a radio transmitter into the femoral artery of rats that underwent a T4 spinal cord transection with or without grafting of embryonic brainstem-derived neural stem cells expressing green fluorescent protein. Compared to other methods such as cannula insertion or tail-cuff, telemetry is advantageous to continuously monitor blood pressure and heart rate in freely moving animals. It is also capable of long term multiple data acquisitions. In spinal cord injured rats, basal cardiovascular data under unrestrained condition and autonomic dysreflexia in response to colorectal distension were successfully recorded. In addition, cardiovascular parameters before and after SCI can be compared in the same rat if a transmitter is implanted before a spinal cord transection. One limitation of the described telemetry procedure is that implantation in the femoral artery may influence the blood supply to the ipsilateral hindlimb.

We present a protocol for using a radio-telemetric system to record cardiovascular parameters in T4 spinal cord transected rats eight weeks after embryonic brainstem neural stem cell grafting into the lesion site. Telemetry is an advanced technique to accurately evaluate cardiovascular function in conscious freely moving spinal cord injured rats.

Ein Radio-Telemetrie-System zur Herz-Kreislauf-Funktion bei Ratten mit Rückenmarksdurchtrennung und embryonalen Neural Stem Cell Grafts überwachen

High thoracic or cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to cardiovascular dysfunction. To monitor cardiovascular parameters, we implanted a catheter ...

Neural Stem Cell Transplantation in Experimental Contusive Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury is a devastating clinical condition, characterized by a complex of neurological dysfunctions. Animal models of spinal cord injury can be used both to investigate the biological responses to injury and to test potential therapies. Contusion or compression injury delivered to the surgically exposed spinal cord are the most widely used models of the pathology. In this report the experimental contusion is performed by using the Infinite Horizon (IH) Impactor device, which allows the creation of a reproducible injury animal model through definition of specific injury parameters. Stem cell transplantation is commonly considered a potentially useful strategy for curing this debilitating condition. Numerous studies have evaluated the effects of transplanting a variety of stem cells. Here we demonstrate an adapted method for spinal cord injury followed by tail vein injection of cells in CD1 mice. In short, we provide procedures for: i) cell labeling with a vital tracer, ii) pre-operative care of mice, iii) execution of a contusive spinal cord injury, and iv) intravenous administration of post mortem neural precursors. This contusion model can be utilized to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stem cell transplantation in a regenerative medicine approach.

Spinal cord injury is a traumatic condition that causes severe morbidity and high mortality. In this work we describe in detail a contusion model of spinal cord injury in mice followed by a transplantation of neural stem cells.

Neural Stem Cell Transplantation in Experimental Gequetscht Modell von Rückenmarksverletzungen

Spinal cord injury is a devastating clinical condition, characterized by a complex of neurological dysfunctions. Animal models of spinal cord injury can ...

Calibrated Forceps Model of Spinal Cord Compression Injury

Compression injuries of the murine spinal cord are valuable animal models for the study of spinal cord injury (SCI) and spinal regenerative therapy. The calibrated forceps model of compression injury is a convenient, low cost, and very reproducible animal model for SCI. We used a pair of modified forceps in accordance with the method published by Plemel et al. (2008) to laterally compress the spinal cord to a distance of 0.35 mm. In this video, we will demonstrate a dorsal laminectomy to expose the spinal cord, followed by compression of the spinal cord with the modified forceps. In the video, we will also address issues related to the care of paraplegic laboratory animals. This injury model produces mice that exhibit impairment in sensation, as well as impaired hindlimb locomotor function. Furthermore, this method of injury produces consistent aberrations in the pathology of the SCI, as determined by immunohistochemical methods. After watching this video, viewers should be able to determine the necessary supplies and methods for producing SCI of various severities in the mouse for studies on SCI and/or treatments designed to mitigate impairment after injury.

Spinal cord injury models should be highly reproducible. We demonstrate that the calibrated forceps compression model of spinal cord injury is an easy to use surgical method for generating reproducible injuries to the murine spinal cord.

Calibrated Zange Modell Spinal Cord Injury Compression

Compression injuries of the murine spinal cord are valuable animal models for the study of spinal cord injury (SCI) and spinal regenerative therapy. The ...

Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging for Assessment of Spinal Cord Blood Flow in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury

Reduced spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) (i.e., ischemia) plays a key role in traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) pathophysiology and is accordingly an important target for neuroprotective therapies. Although several techniques have been described to assess SCBF, they all have significant limitations. To overcome the latter, we propose the use of real-time contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging (CEU). Here we describe the application of this technique in a rat contusion model of SCI. A jugular catheter is first implanted for the repeated injection of contrast agent, a sodium chloride solution of sulphur hexafluoride encapsulated microbubbles. The spine is then stabilized with a custom-made 3D-frame and the spinal cord dura mater is exposed by a laminectomy at ThIX-ThXII. The ultrasound probe is then positioned at the posterior aspect of the dura mater (coated with ultrasound gel). To assess baseline SCBF, a single intravenous injection (400 &#181;l) of contrast agent is applied to record its passage through the intact spinal cord microvasculature. A weight-drop device is subsequently used to generate a reproducible experimental contusion model of SCI. Contrast agent is re-injected 15 min following the injury to assess post-SCI SCBF changes. CEU allows for real time and in-vivo assessment of SCBF changes following SCI. In the uninjured animal, ultrasound imaging showed uneven blood flow along the intact spinal cord. Furthermore, 15 min post-SCI, there was critical ischemia at the level of the epicenter while SCBF remained preserved in the more remote intact areas. In the regions adjacent to the epicenter (both rostral and caudal), SCBF was significantly reduced. This corresponds to the previously described &#8220;ischemic penumbra zone&#8221;. This tool is of major interest for assessing the effects of therapies aimed at limiting ischemia and the resulting tissue necrosis subsequent to SCI.

Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound imaging is a reliable in-vivo tool for quantifying spinal cord blood flow in an experimental rat spinal cord injury model. This paper contains a comprehensive protocol for application of this technique in association with a contusion model of thoracic spinal cord injury.

Kontrastverstärkten Ultraschall-Bildgebung zur Beurteilung der Spinal Cord Blood Flow in Experimental Rückenmark-Verletzung

Reduced spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) (i.e., ischemia) plays a key role in traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) pathophysiology and is accordingly an ...

Photothrombosis-induced Focal Ischemia as a Model of Spinal Cord Injury in Mice

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating clinical condition causing permanent changes in sensorimotor and autonomic functions of the spinal cord (SC) below the site of injury. The secondary ischemia that develops following the initial mechanical insult is a serious complication of the SCI and severely impairs the function and viability of surviving neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the SC. In addition, ischemia is also responsible for the growth of lesion during chronic phase of injury and interferes with the cellular repair and healing processes. Thus there is a need to develop a spinal cord ischemia model for studying the mechanisms of ischemia-induced pathology. Focal ischemia induced by photothrombosis (PT) is a minimally invasive and very well established procedure used to investigate the pathology of ischemia-induced cell death in the brain. Here, we describe the use of PT to induce an ischemic lesion in the spinal cord of mice. Following retro-orbital sinus injection of Rose Bengal, the posterior spinal vein and other capillaries on the dorsal surface of SC were irradiated with a green light resulting in the formation of a thrombus and thus ischemia in the affected region. Results from histology and immunochemistry studies show that PT-induced ischemia caused spinal cord infarction, loss of neurons and reactive gliosis. Using this technique a highly reproducible and relatively easy model of SCI in mice can be achieved that would serve the purpose of scientific investigations into the mechanisms of ischemia induced cell death as well as the efficacy of neuroprotective drugs. This model will also allow exploration of the pathological changes that occur following SCI in live mice like axonal degeneration and regeneration, neuronal and astrocytic Ca2+ signaling using two-photon microscopy.

Photothrombosis is a minimally invasive and highly reproducible procedure to induce focal ischemia in the spinal cord and serves as a model of spinal cord injury in mice.

Photothrombosis induzierte fokale Ischämie als ein Modell der Rückenmarksverletzungen in Mäusen

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating clinical condition causing permanent changes in sensorimotor and autonomic functions of the spinal cord (SC) ...

A Neonatal Mouse Spinal Cord Compression Injury Model

Spinal cord injury (SCI) typically causes devastating neurological deficits, particularly through damage to fibers descending from the brain to the spinal cord. A major current area of research is focused on the mechanisms of adaptive plasticity that underlie spontaneous or induced functional recovery following SCI. Spontaneous functional recovery is reported to be greater early in life, raising interesting questions about how adaptive plasticity changes as the spinal cord develops. To facilitate investigation of this dynamic, we have developed a SCI model in the neonatal mouse. The model has relevance for pediatric SCI, which is too little studied. Because neural plasticity in the adult involves some of the same mechanisms as neural plasticity in early life1, this model may potentially have some relevance also for adult SCI. Here we describe the entire procedure for generating a reproducible spinal cord compression (SCC) injury in the neonatal mouse as early as postnatal (P) day 1. SCC is achieved by performing a laminectomy at a given spinal level (here described at thoracic levels 9-11) and then using a modified Yasargil aneurysm mini-clip to rapidly compress and decompress the spinal cord. As previously described, the injured neonatal mice can be tested for behavioral deficits or sacrificed for ex vivo physiological analysis of synaptic connectivity using electrophysiological and high-throughput optical recording techniques1. Earlier and ongoing studies using behavioral and physiological assessment have demonstrated a dramatic, acute impairment of hindlimb motility followed by a complete functional recovery within 2 weeks, and the first evidence of changes in functional circuitry at the level of identified descending synaptic connections1.

This article describes a method for generating a reproducible spinal cord compression injury (SCI) in the neonatal mouse. The model provides an advantageous platform for studying mechanisms of adaptive plasticity that underlie spontaneous functional recovery.

Ein Neonatal Maus Spinal Cord Injury Kompression Modell

Spinal cord injury (SCI) typically causes devastating neurological deficits, particularly through damage to fibers descending from the brain to the spinal ...

A Tissue Displacement-based Contusive Spinal Cord Injury Model in Mice

Producing a consistent and reproducible contusive spinal cord injury (SCI) is critical to minimizing behavioral and histological variabilities between experimental animals. Several contusive SCI models have been developed to produce injuries using different mechanisms. The severity of the SCI is based on the height that a given weight is dropped, the injury force, or the spinal cord displacement. In the current study, we introduce a novel mouse contusive SCI device, the Louisville Injury System Apparatus (LISA) impactor, which can create a displacement-based SCI with high injury velocity and accuracy. This system utilizes laser distance sensors combined with advanced software to produce graded and highly-reproducible injuries. We performed a contusive SCI at the 10th thoracic vertebral (T10) level in mice to demonstrate the step-by-step procedure. The model can also be applied to the cervical and lumbar spinal levels.

We introduce a tissue displacement-based contusive spinal cord injury model that can produce a consistent contusive spinal cord injury in adult mice.

Ein Tissue Displacement-basierte Contusive Spinal Cord Verletzung Modell in Mäusen

Producing a consistent and reproducible contusive spinal cord injury (SCI) is critical to minimizing behavioral and histological variabilities between ...