Neuromodulatory effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on neural plasticity and motor functions in rats with an incomplete spinal cord injury: A preliminary study

PLOS ONE, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252965 · Published: June 4, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Neurorehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS), affects recovery in rats with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The research focuses on locomotor function, motor plasticity, and nerve regeneration after iTBS treatment. The experiment involved applying iTBS to rats with varying degrees of SCI severity. Researchers then measured changes in motor function, brain signals (MEPs), and the presence of a protein (GAP-43) associated with nerve growth. The findings suggest that iTBS can improve motor plasticity, particularly in less severe SCI cases, and promote nerve regeneration. This indicates potential for using iTBS as a therapeutic approach for SCI, warranting further investigation.

Study Duration

6 weeks

Participants

38 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Level II; Animal Study

Key Findings

1
iTBS-induced potentiation was reduced at post-1-week SCI lesion and had recovered by 4 weeks post-SCI lesion, except in the severe group.
2
Multiple sessions of iTBS treatment enhanced the motor plasticity in all SCI rats.
3
The GAP-43 expression level in the spinal cord increased following 2 weeks of iTBS treatment compared to the sham-treatment group.

Research Summary

This study aimed to investigate the effects of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) on locomotor function, motor plasticity, and axonal regeneration in an animal model of incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). The results showed that multiple sessions of iTBS treatment enhanced motor plasticity in all SCI rats and increased GAP-43 expression in the spinal cord compared to the sham-treatment group. The study concludes that this preclinical model may provide a translational platform to further investigate therapeutic mechanisms of transcranial magnetic stimulation and enhance the possibility of the potential use of TMS with the iTBS scheme for treating SCIs.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

iTBS shows promise as a non-invasive therapy for SCI, particularly in promoting motor plasticity and axonal regeneration.

Severity-Specific Treatment

The study suggests that the severity of SCI influences the effectiveness of iTBS, indicating the need for tailored treatment approaches.

Translational Research

This preclinical model can be used to further explore the mechanisms of TMS and optimize iTBS protocols for treating SCIs in humans.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size in each group may offer less support for the statistical analyses to find conclusive results.
2
Delivered a single iTBS treatment without combined therapy in one treatment session.
3
10 days within 2 weeks may be too short of a time to deliver non-invasive treatment for a chronic SCI.

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