Repetitive Trans Spinal Magnetic Stimulation Improves Functional Recovery and Tissue Repair in Contusive and Penetrating Spinal Cord Injury Models in Rats

Biomedicines, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9121827 · Published: December 3, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Neurorehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are currently incurable and often result in permanent loss of motor and sensory functions. Researchers are exploring treatments, including repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rTSMS), which has shown promise in mice by modulating the lesion scar and inducing locomotor recovery. This study validates the effects of rTSMS in a rat model where SCI leads to cystic cavities, similar to human SCIs, using penetrating and contusive SCI models. The study uses immunohistochemical, behavioral, and MRI techniques. The study demonstrates that rTSMS modulates the lesion scar, reduces cystic cavity formation, improves axonal survival, and enhances functional locomotor recovery in both SCI models in rats, suggesting a step towards human treatment.

Study Duration

60 Days

Participants

104 Sprague Dawley female rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
rTSMS treatment induces locomotor recovery after a complete transection of the spinal cord in rats, specifically observed at 30 and 60 days post-SCI.
2
rTSMS treatment enhances tissue repair after a complete transection of the spinal cord, evidenced by reduced fibrotic components of the scar at 15 days and decreased GFAP-negative areas at 60 days post-SCI.
3
MRI analyses show that rTSMS treatment decreases cystic cavities and increases spinal cord spared tissue after contusive SCI in rats, particularly at 42 days post-SCI.

Research Summary

This study investigates the effects of repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rTSMS) on spinal cord injury (SCI) in rat models, using both penetrating and contusive injury models to mimic human SCI conditions. The results indicate that rTSMS enhances functional recovery and modulates lesion scar tissue, reducing cystic cavity formation and improving axonal survival in both SCI models. MRI and immunohistological analyses support the beneficial effects of rTSMS, demonstrating decreased lesion size and increased spared spinal cord tissue, suggesting rTSMS as a promising therapeutic approach for SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

rTSMS shows promise as a non-invasive therapeutic intervention for spinal cord injury.

Clinical Relevance

The study validates rTSMS in clinically relevant models (rats) where SCI leads to cystic cavities.

Further Research

The study provides a basis for further investigations into the mechanisms underlying rTSMS's effects on tissue repair and functional recovery after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study did not dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms of rTSMS.
2
The precise role of rTSMS on microglia is not clearly described.
3
Further investigations are needed regarding the polarization of microglia/macrophages after rTSMS treatment.

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