Nerve root magnetic stimulation improves locomotor function following spinal cord injury with electrophysiological improvements and cortical synaptic reconstruction

NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.335161 · Published: February 8, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Following spinal cord injury (SCI), some neural pathways often remain intact. These residual nerve fibers are crucial for reconstructing neural circuits to restore motor function. The study investigates how nerve root magnetic stimulation (NRMS) improves locomotor function in a rat model of SCI, focusing on enhancing nerve conduction and synaptic recovery in the sensorimotor cortex. The results suggest NRMS could be an effective, noninvasive method to mobilize residual spinal cord pathways, thereby promoting locomotor function recovery after SCI.

Study Duration

3 weeks

Participants

45 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Nerve root magnetic stimulation (NRMS) treatment leads to improved recovery of locomotor function following spinal cord injury (SCI).
2
Nerve root magnetic stimulation (NRMS) enhances nerve conduction in the sensory neural pathway after spinal cord injury (SCI).
3
Nerve root magnetic stimulation (NRMS) promotes recovery of the synaptic ultrastructure in the sensorimotor cortex after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Research Summary

This study demonstrates that repetitive magnetic stimulation of the spinal cord nerve root induces functional recovery following SCI in rats. NRMS improves the excitability of the sensorimotor pathway, enhances nerve conduction, and improves inhibition in spinal pathways after SCI. NRMS can activate the ascending sensory pathways leading to an increase in the corticospinal output and motor function improvement, using the lowest level of the high-frequency magnetic stimulation settings (5 Hz).

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

NRMS may be used in conjunction with TMS and skilled motor training.

Clinical Application

NRMS has considerable potential for the treatment of SCI and could improve the quality of life following SCI.

Underlying Mechanism

The effectiveness of the NRMS treatment may result from the cortical integration of the ascending sensory inputs and the strengthening of corticospinal connections.

Study Limitations

1
The lack of data concerning the long-term effectiveness of NRMS.
2
The molecular mechanisms that underlie the NRMS-induced neuroplasticity are not fully understood.
3
This study needs further research.

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