Different macaque brain network remodeling after spinal cord injury and NT3 treatment

This study explores how the brain reorganizes after spinal cord injury (SCI) and treatment with neurotrophin-3 (NT3). Graph theory was used to analyze brain networks, focusing on modular composition and functional connectivity. The study found that both SCI and NT3 treatment increased the number of modules and connector hubs in the brain. However, SCI increased within-module activity in sensory areas, while NT3 therapy increased it in motor areas. The research suggests that NT3 treatment can enhance communication between brain regions and improve motor function after SCI. These findings help to understand how network modules are affected by SCI and treatment.

• 1
  SCI and NT3 treatment both lead to an increase in the number of modules within the brain network, indicating enhanced functional separation.
• 2
  In the SCI-only group, functional integration within cerebral hemispheres increased at the later stages of injury, as evidenced by higher mean intrahemispheric functional connectivity.
• 3
  The magnocellular part of the red nucleus was identified as a key area reflecting differences in brain remodeling between spontaneous compensation after SCI and neural regeneration following NT3 treatment.