Plasticity Induced Recovery of Breathing Occurs at Chronic Stages after Cervical Contusion

JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA, 2019 · DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6186 · Published: June 15, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Pulmonology Neuroplasticity

Simple Explanation

Severe spinal cord injuries in the neck area often lead to long-lasting breathing problems. This study explores whether enhancing the brain's ability to adapt (plasticity) can help restore normal breathing function after such injuries. The researchers used an enzyme called chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to modify the tissue around the respiratory system in rats with cervical contusion injuries. They applied this treatment at both early and late stages after the injury to see if it could improve breathing. The study found that applying ChABC at chronic time points post-injury helped restore normal breathing in paralyzed respiratory muscles, reducing the need for other muscles to compensate. This recovery was linked to the activation of spared pathways in the spinal cord and the growth of serotonergic fibers.

Study Duration

6 Weeks

Participants

53 adult male rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
ChABC treatment at chronic stages post-cervical contusion injury leads to recovery of normal activity in the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm.
2
This treatment reduces the need for compensatory activity in other respiratory muscles, indicating a more efficient recovery.
3
The mechanism involves sprouting of spared serotonergic fibers and, in part, recovery of respiratory pathways through the injury site.

Research Summary

This study investigates the potential of chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to enhance plasticity and recover respiratory motor function after severe midcervical contusion injury in rats. The key finding is that ChABC treatment at chronic time points post-injury leads to a significant recovery of normal breathing in previously paralyzed respiratory muscles. The recovery mechanism involves activation of spared bulbospinal pathways and sprouting of serotonergic fibers, suggesting a pathway to manage respiratory motor dysfunction after clinically relevant spinal cord injuries.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Intervention

ChABC treatment at chronic stages post-SCI could be a viable therapeutic intervention to improve respiratory function.

Spared Pathways Activation

The study highlights the importance of activating spared pathways and promoting axonal sprouting for functional recovery.

Clinical Relevance

The findings have significant implications for managing severe trauma to the spinal cord and other pathological disease states.

Study Limitations

1
The study is conducted on rats, and the results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The study used a specific model of unilateral midcervical contusion injury, which may not represent all types of SCI.
3
The success of ChABC treatment may be limited in more complete bilateral, severe contusion injuries.

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