Impaired communication at the neuromotor axis during Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

This study investigates how Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM), a condition causing spinal cord compression, affects the communication between nerves and muscles. The researchers used a mouse model of DCM to observe changes in motor skills, nerve cells, muscles, and even gut health. The results showed that DCM leads to reduced motor activity and muscle strength, loss of nerve cells in the spinal cord, and impaired connections between nerves and muscles. Additionally, the muscles showed signs of atrophy, and the gut exhibited imbalances in its microbial composition. The study suggests that DCM disrupts communication within the neuromotor system and also affects other systems like the gut. Treatment with short-chain fatty acids, which are produced by gut bacteria, showed some potential in stimulating nerve cell differentiation, indicating a possible link between gut health and nerve function in DCM.

• 1
  DCM leads to a significant reduction in locomotor activity and muscle strength in mice.
• 2
  DCM causes alterations in the gross anatomy of the cervical spinal cord, including a loss of motoneurons and a decrease in excitatory synaptic inputs.
• 3
  DCM results in a reduction in endplate surface and impaired regenerative capacity in muscles, along with changes in gut microbiota composition.