Neurophysiological Characterization of a Non-Human Primate Model of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Utilizing Fine-Wire EMG Electrodes

Sensors, 2019 · DOI: 10.3390/s19153303 · Published: July 27, 2019

Simple Explanation

This study uses fine-wire electromyography (EMG) to understand traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in a non-human primate model. EMG data was gathered from tail muscles before and after a spinal cord injury, comparing a treated group to a control group. The analysis focuses on how the injury and treatment affect the frequency of electrical signals in the muscles.

Study Duration

30 days pre-lesion, 90 days post-lesion for treatment group

Participants

6 adult Macaca fasicularis monkeys

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The study found asymmetry in muscle activity between the left and right sides of the tail muscles before the injury, suggesting limb dominance.
2
The spinal cord injury caused clear changes in the frequency distribution of EMG signals, with an increase in low-frequency activity after the injury.
3
The experimental treatment appeared to have a significant effect on the EMG activity in the post-lesion period compared to the control group.

Research Summary

This study characterizes traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) neurophysiologically using an intramuscular ﬁne-wire electromyography (EMG) electrode pair. The results from the electrode pair data suggested that there is asymmetry in the EMG response of the left and right side muscles (p-value < 0.001). The preliminary results suggest that using the RP of the EMG data, the ﬁne-wire intramuscular EMG electrode pair are a suitable method of monitoring and measuring treatment eﬀects of experimental treatments for spinal cord injury (SCI).

Practical Implications

Improved understanding of TSCI

The developed NHP model and its preliminary results will provide a better understanding of the TSCI and may help with the prediction of recovery in human limbs.

Potential assessment index

This analysis might lead to a new assessment index for motor unit activity and progression of recovery from TSCI.

Treatment development

Accurate measurement of impairment and recovery in a model of TSCI has signiﬁcant implications for the identiﬁcation and development of TSCI therapeutics.

Neurophysiological Characterization of a Non-Human Primate Model of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Utilizing Fine-Wire EMG Electrodes

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Improved understanding of TSCI

Potential assessment index

Treatment development

Study Limitations

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Was this summary helpful?

Neurophysiological Characterization of a Non-Human Primate Model of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Utilizing Fine-Wire EMG Electrodes

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Improved understanding of TSCI

Potential assessment index

Treatment development

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?