Fine motor skill training enhances functional plasticity of the corticospinal tract after spinal cord injury

Neural Regeneration Research, 2016 · DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.197143 · Published: December 1, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Following injury to the central nervous system, the body tries to repair itself by forming new connections in the damaged area. This process is called neural plasticity. Scientists are trying to find ways to encourage this plasticity to help people recover from injuries. This study investigates whether fine motor skill training, like precise hand movements, can help the brain and spinal cord to rewire themselves and improve motor function after a spinal cord injury. Researchers used a rat model of spinal cord injury and found that rats who received fine motor skill training showed better recovery of their forelimbs and forepaws compared to those who did not receive training.

Study Duration

6 weeks

Participants

128 female Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Functional recovery was better in the forelimbs and forepaws of trained rats compared with untrained rats after spinal cord injury.
2
Fine motor skill training increased the number of axons at the injury site 3 weeks after corticospinal tract injury.
3
Fine motor skill training increased the expression of growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43) at the injury site, which is associated with axon growth.

Research Summary

This study investigated the effect of fine motor skill training on functional plasticity of the corticospinal tract after spinal cord injury in rats. The study found that fine motor skill training promoted functional recovery in the forelimbs and forepaws of trained rats compared to untrained rats. The study also found that fine motor skill training increased the number of axons and the expression of growth associated protein 43 at the injury site.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

Fine motor skill training can be incorporated into rehabilitation programs for spinal cord injury patients to enhance neural plasticity and improve motor function recovery.

Timing of Intervention

The three weeks after injury may be a critical time window for facilitating changes in neurological functional plasticity, suggesting that early intervention with fine motor skill training may be particularly beneficial.

Molecular Targets

Growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43) may be a potential molecular target for therapeutic interventions aimed at promoting axonal sprouting and extension after corticospinal tract injury.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
The injection of BDA in the cerebral cortex caused substantial cortical injury due to the thickness of the needle, and this affected BDA absorption.
3
The study focused on unilateral corticospinal tract injury, and the results may not be generalizable to other types of spinal cord injury.

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