Activity-based Training on a Treadmill with Spinal Cord Injured Wistar Rats

Jason H. Gumbel; Casey J. Steadman; Robert F. Hoey; James E. Armstrong; Jason D. Fell; Cui Bo Yang; Lynnette R. Montgomery; Charles H. Hubscher

doi:10.3791/58983

Activity-based Training on a Treadmill with Spinal Cord Injured Wistar Rats

JoVE Journal
Neuroscience

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JoVE Journal Neuroscience

Activity-based Training on a Treadmill with Spinal Cord Injured Wistar Rats

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06:40 min

January 16, 2019

DOI: 10.3791/58983-v

Jason H. Gumbel¹, Casey J. Steadman¹, Robert F. Hoey¹, James E. Armstrong¹, Jason D. Fell¹, Cui Bo Yang¹, Lynnette R. Montgomery¹, Charles H. Hubscher^1,2

¹Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology,University of Louisville, ²Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Center,University of Louisville

Overview

This study provides a protocol for activity-based locomotor treadmill training in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). It includes quadrupedal and forelimb-only training groups as well as control groups, allowing for assessment of training effects on functional recovery.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

Neuroscience
Rehabilitation
Behavioral Science

Background

Exercise is a key component in rehabilitative therapies for spinal cord injuries.
Activity-based training has shown significant functional benefits in clinical and preclinical studies.
Understanding locomotor training can lead to improved recovery strategies for SCI patients.
This training model allows for in-depth examination of recovery mechanisms.

Purpose of Study

To demonstrate a novel model for assessing locomotor recovery in SCI rats.
To compare outcomes between trained and untrained control groups.
To further the understanding of how locomotor training influences recovery following spinal cord injury.

Methods Used

The main platform is a treadmill designed for rats, allowing for controlled locomotor training.
The study employs a rat model of spinal cord injury, assessing outcomes post-injury through various training types.
Key steps include injury induction via surgical procedures and subsequent rehabilitation through treadmill training.
Monitoring, handling, and care of the rats are essential elements of the protocol.

Main Results

The primary findings will relate to the effects of different training methodologies on recovery outcomes.
Specific changes in locomotor function and behavior will be evaluated across trained groups.
The study aims to clarify the impact of rehabilitation protocols on functional recovery timelines.
Conclusions regarding effective rehabilitation strategies will be drawn based on observed results.

Conclusions

This study establishes a protocol for assessing the effects of treadmill training in SCI rehabilitation.
Implications may extend to understanding the mechanisms behind locomotor recovery.
The findings could inform future therapeutic strategies for rehabilitation in spinal cord injuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of using a rat model for SCI research?

Rats are commonly used due to their physiological similarities to humans and the feasibility of controlled experiments, allowing researchers to closely monitor recovery and responses to interventions.

How is spinal cord injury induced in the study?

The injury is induced by making a surgical incision and delivering controlled contusions at specified vertebral levels, allowing for standardized injury across subjects.

What types of outcomes can be measured post-training?

Outcomes can include various locomotor functions, behavioral changes, and overall recovery progress, as assessed by comparing trained and control groups.

Can the treadmill training protocol be adapted for different models?

Yes, the protocol can be tailored to different animal models or types of injuries, promoting wider applications in rehabilitative research.

What are the limitations of this study?

Limitations may include the specific injury model used and the controlled settings, which may not fully replicate the complexity of human spinal cord injuries.

This protocol demonstrates our model of activity-based locomotor treadmill training for rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Included is both quadrupedal and forelimb-only groups, in addition to two distinct types of non-trained control groups. Investigators are able to assess training effects on SCI rats using this protocol.

Exercise and locomotor training are commonly used in rehabilitative therapies in the spinal cord injured patient population.The main advantage of activity-based training is that many functional benefits have been documented, both in preclinical animal studies, and in clinical practice.Demonstrating the procedure will be James Armstrong, and Christine Yarberry, both senior research technicians, and Jason Gumbel, a graduate student from my laboratory.During the week before the spinal cord injury, handle each rat for five to ten minutes, once a day for five days.On the day of the injury, shave the hair from the back of the first 200 to 225 gram rat, at the site of the injury, and place the anesthetized animal on a heating pad at a low setting.Administer eye lubricant, a long-acting general antibiotic, an analgesic, and five milliliters of physiological saline.Estimate the location of the targeted lesion level, based upon the vertebral protuberances, and use a number 10 scalpel to make an approximately five centimeter incision on the dorsum of the animal, directly above the midline vertebrae.Using hemostats, retract lateral muscles, using 4-0 silk suture.For mid thoracic contusions, use rongeurs to remove the overlaying T7 vertebrae lamina, to expose the T8-T9 level of the spinal cord, and use a contusion device to perform the contusions.After delivering the injuries, use 4-0 diameter monofilaments to suture together the muscle and fascia over the spinal cord.And close the skin with nine millimeter surgical wound clips.Inject another five milliliters of physiological saline.Then place the animals in individual clean cages, on heating pads with close monitoring for the first 24-48 hours.Using the manual Cred

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