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PubMed2002

[Effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation on rehabilitation of motor function in patients with cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on the rehabilitation of motor function in patients with cerebral infarction. METHODS: Two hundred twenty and three patients with the initial attack of cerebral infarction were divided into three groups. (1) One hundred twenty and three patients were randomly further divided into rehabilitation subgroup (n = 63, aged 64.0 +/- 7.9, treated with TMS beginning from the 6 approximately 10 th day after onset) and control subgroup (n = 60, aged 63.5 +/- 7.9). (2) Sixty patients were divided into three subgroups according to the age: 35 approximately 55 (n = 11), 56 approximately 75 (n = 20), and over 76 (n = 30). (3) Forty patients aged 56 approximately 75 were further divided into two subgroups according to the timing of beginning of TMS: subgroup with TMS beginning within 3 months after the initial attack (n = 20) and subgroup with TMS beginning 3 months after the initial attack (n = 20). Except for TMS, the basic treatment was the same for all of the patients. TMS was given once a day for 14 days. Fugl-Meyer score, Barthel index, and central spinal cord motor conduction time (CMCT) were measured twice: just before treatment and after the 14th treatment. A difference less than 20 ms between CMCT values measured before and after TMS and failure to induce CMCT both before and after TMS were regarded as ineffective hess, and a difference more than 20 ms between CMCT values measured before and after TMS and a change from failure to induce CMCT were regarded as effective hess. RESULTS: The effective rate was 90.5% in the rehabilitation subgroup and 68.3% in the control group (P < 0.05). The Fugl-Meyer scores were 36.3 +/- 15.8 and 33.7 +/- 13.7 in the rehabilitation subgroup and control subgroup before treatment respectively (P > 0.05), and were 51.7 +/- 15.7 and 40.0 +/- 13.9 after treatment respectively (P < 0.01). The Barthel index were 39.6 +/- 15.8 and 40.0 +/- 14.9 in the two subgroups before treatment respectively (P > 0.05) and were 50.5 +/- 15.7 and 43.9 +/- 15.3 after treatment respectively (P < 0.05). The Fugl-Meyer scores before and after TMS were 35.8 +/- 11.3 and 61.6 +/- 18.6 in the subgroup aged 35 approximately 55 (P < 0.01), 33.5 +/- 14.0 and 49.2 +/- 16.0 in the subgroup aged 56 approximately 75 (P < 0.001), and 32.1 +/- 10.7 and 37.6 +/- 11.3 in the subgroup aged over 75 (P > 0.05). The Fugl-Meyer scores were 41.2 +/- 15.7 and 59.0 +/- 22.8 before and after TCM respectively in the subgroup with early TMS treatment (P < 0.01), and were 34.3 +/- 13.5 and 45.4 +/- 14.8 respectively in the subgroup with TMS beginning 3 months after the onset (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TMS is effective on the rehabilitation of motor function in patients with cerebral infarction. The effectiveness of TMS treatment depends on the age of the patients and timing of beginning treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

The relationships of motor function, education, age and cognitive function to the physical activities of daily living.

The physical activities of daily living are a final outcome of many functions and dependent on many factors. This study was aimed at exploring the relationships of motor function, dementia, education, age, and cognitive function to the physical activities of daily living in 67 elderly people residing in an institution in Taegu, Korea. Their mean ( +/- SD) age was 75.6 +/- 8.1 and 24 (35.8%) were men. Twenty-eight (41.8%) were classified as having definite cognitive impairment, 17 (25.4%) as having questionable impairment, and 22 (32.8%) as having no impairment by the Korean version of the mini-mental state examination. Of the aforementioned 5 variables, the Motoricity Index could account for 42% of the Barthel Activities of Daily Living variance. If the modified Blessed Dementia Rating Scale was included in the multiple regression, the accountable portion of the Activities variance increased by 4% only. Using the 2 variables, regression equation, y = 0.248 x chi 1-0.359 x chi 2-6.250 (y: Barthel Activities of Daily Living score, chi 1: Motoricity Index score, chi 2: modified Blessed Dementia Rating Scale score) could be produced. Conclusively, the physical activities of daily living of elderly people could be related mainly with motor function of the limbs and severity of dementia.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2005

Gallbladder motor function, plasma cholecystokinin and cholecystokinin receptor of gallbladder in cholesterol stone patients.

AIM: To study the interactive relationship of gallbladder motor function, plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) and cholecystokinin A receptor (CCK-R) of gallbladder in patients with cholesterol stone disease. METHODS: Gallbladder motility was studied by ultrasonography in 33 patients with gallbladder stone and 10 health subjects as controls. Plasma CCK concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay in fasting status (CCK-f) and in 30 min after lipid test meal (CCK-30). Radioligand method was employed to analyze the amount and activity of CCK-R from 33 gallstone patients having cholecystectomy and 8 persons without gallstone died of severe trauma as controls. RESULTS: The percentage of cholesterol in the gallstone composition was more than 70%. The cholesterol stone type was indicated for the patients with gallbladder stone in this study. Based on the criterion of gallbladder residual fraction of the control group, 33 gallstone patients were divided into two subgroups, contractor group (14 cases) and non-contractor group (19 cases). The concentration of CCK-30 was significantly higher in non-contractor group than that in both contractor group and control group (55.86+/-3.86 pmol/L vs 37.85+/-0.88 pmol/L and 37.95+/-0.74 pmol/L, P<0.01), but there was no difference between contractor group and control group. Meanwhile no significant difference of the concentration of CCK-f could be observed among three groups. The amount of CCK-R was lower in non-contractor group than those in both control group and contractor group (10.27+/-0.94 fmol/mg vs 24.59+/-2.39 fmol/mg and 22.66+/-0.55 fmol/mg, P<0.01). The activity of CCK-R shown as KD in non-contractor group decreased compared to that in control group and contractor group. Only was the activity of CCK-R lower in contractor group than that in control group. The ejection fraction correlated closely with the amount of CCK-R (r = 0.9683, P<0.01), and the concentration of CCK-30 correlated negatively with the amount of CCK-R closely (r = -0.9627, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The distinctive interactive relationship of gallbladder emptying, plasma CCK and CCK-R in gallbladder from this study suggested that the defect of CCK-R may be a key point leading to the impairment of gallbladder motor function and the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone formation may differ in two subgroups of gallstone patient, gallbladder non-contractor group or contractor group.

Cholecystokinin↗

PubMed2001

Can the site of brain lesion predict improved motor function after low-TENS treatment on the post-stroke paretic arm?

OBJECTIVES: Previous reports suggest that afferent stimulation improves arm motor function in patients suffering from stroke. The aim of this pilot study was to test the hypothesis that the brain lesion location determines the response to low-frequency (1.7 Hz) transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (Low-TENS) therapy. DESIGN: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on 14 patients who had previously received Low-TENS on the paretic arm after stroke. METHODS: MR images were classified with two different methods. First, lesions in the cortical and the subcortical areas were registered. Secondly, any change in a described periventricular white matter (PVWM) area was recorded. Interactions between the lesion site, as detected by MRI, and response to Low-TENS treatment were analysed. RESULTS: Arm motor function after Low-TENS treatment in relation to lesion in different brain areas showed that absence of lesions in the PVWM area increased the possibility for improved motor capacity after afferent stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: The site of lesion may play a role in prognosis/outcome after Low-TENS treatment but this hypothesis should be further tested in a larger prospective study.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Usefulness of diffusion tensor imaging for evaluation of motor function in patients with traumatic brain injury: three case studies.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can detect diffuse axonal injury, and to evaluate the association of DTI findings with motor function in patients with traumatic brain injury. DESIGN: Three case studies. SETTING: An inpatient rehabilitation unit in Korea. PARTICIPANTS: Three patients with traumatic brain injury in whom conventional neuroimaging showed normal-appearing white matter. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were studied with DTI. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured from 3 different anatomic locations on both sides of the corticospinal tract. Motor function was evaluated using the motoricity index. RESULTS: Fractional anisotropy tended to be reduced in normal-appearing corticospinal tracts that were remote from the involved segment. Diffusion tensor imaging showed reduction of FA in areas consistent with motor dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Fractional anisotropy of the corticospinal tract may be used in the detection of diffuse axonal injury. The association between decreased motoricity index and decreased FA suggests that DTI may be useful in evaluating patients with traumatic brain injury.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Transplantation of neuronal and glial restricted precursors into contused spinal cord improves bladder and motor functions, decreases thermal hypersensitivity, and modifies intraspinal circuitry.

Transplanting neuronal and glial restricted precursors (NRP/GRP) into a midthoracic injury 9 d after contusion improved bladder and motor function, diminished thermal hypersensitivity, and modified lumbosacral circuitry compared with operated controls (OP-controls). Histological analysis showed that NRP/GRP survived, filled the lesion site, differentiated into neurons and glia, and migrated selectively. Volume of spinal cord spared was increased in NRP/GRP recipients, suggesting local protection. Bladder areflexia developed in both operated groups, but NRP/GRP recipients exhibited an accelerated recovery, with decreased micturition pressure and fewer episodes of detrusor hyperreflexia. Because noradrenergic receptors proliferate after spinal injury and descending noradrenergic pathways contribute to regulation of bladder control, we examined the effects of administering an alpha-1A-adrenergic antagonist, Tamsulosin, on urodynamics. This improved all cystometric parameters in both operated groups, and micturition pressure in NRP/GRP rats recovered to normal levels. Both operated groups initially showed increased sensitivity to a thermal stimulus applied to the tail; the NRP/GRP rats showed significant improvement over time. NRP/GRP grafts also produced greater recovery of hindlimb function in several tests, although both groups showed persistent and similar deficits in locomotion on a grid. Because bladder, hindlimb, and tail sensory and motor functions are organized through lumbosacral cord, we examined descending and primary afferent projections at L6-S1. The density of serotonergic, noradrenergic, and corticotrophin releasing factor-positive fibers increased in the NRP/GRP group compared with OP-controls, suggesting some sparing and/or sprouting of these modulatory pathways. Immunocytochemical staining density of dorsal root axons in the dorsal horn increased in the OP-controls but appeared normal in the NRP/GRP group. Synaptophysin immunoreactivity in the lumbosacral dorsal horn was similar among groups, consistent with restoration of synaptic density in both groups of operated animals but by different pathways. We suggest that local protection provided by NRP/GRP resulted in increased sparing/sprouting of descending pathways, which prevented sprouting by dorsal root axons, and that this modification in lumbosacral circuitry contributes to the recovery of function.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Motor function of infants with athetoid cerebral palsy.

The motor function of 35 children with athetoid cerebral palsy was examined retrospectively using videotape recordings made at five to eight months of age. Many infants showed asymmetric tonic neck, Moro and Galant reflexes. Movements shown to be difficult included: keeping a symmetric supine posture, isolated movements of the hips and knees, forward extension of the upper extremity, extension of neck and trunk in the prone position and in ventral suspension, flexion of the neck in the traction response, and weight support by the upper extremities. Asymmetric or excessive opening of the mouth was present in all infants. The grade of difficulty for each posture and movement might reflect subsequent motor disability at three years of age.

Athetosis↗

PubMed1996

Liquid levodopa/carbidopa produces significant improvement in motor function without dyskinesia exacerbation.

We performed the first double-blind, crossover comparison between levodopa/carbidopa (LD/CD) in optimized liquid versus tablet doses to measure plasma LD levels and relative effects on disabilities (motor function, fluctuations, and dyskinesias) in patients with Parkinson's disease. Twenty-three subjects with motor fluctuations were optimized with open-label LD/CD tablets and liquid. In a double-dummy design, patients randomly received 2 weeks of liquid and 2 weeks of tablet LD/CD. Twice during each arm, we evaluated patients hourly 9 AM to 4 PM with the use of plasma LD levels, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, a dyskinesia rating scale, and "on-off" ratings. Patients receiving liquid LD/CD ingested significantly higher doses and had significantly improved motor function and total "on" time, without an increase in dyskinesia severity. The number of motor fluctuations in the two phases was not significantly different. LD levels and variability were also equivalent with the two formulations. At optimized dosing, liquid LD/CD offers a means to significantly improve motor disability in patients with Parkinson's disease without exacerbating dyskinesia.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Responsiveness of evaluative measures for children with cerebral palsy: the Gross Motor Function Measure and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe responsiveness of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) in a group of children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: The subjects were 55 children with cerebral palsy aged 2 to 7 years (mean 4.6 years). We described the responsiveness of the GMFM and PEDI for all children (n = 55), for children younger than 4 years of age (n = 22) and those older or equal to 4 years (n = 33). Two frames of references for determining responsiveness were used: change over time and external criterion. Responsiveness was calculated with help of the Effect Size (ES), Standardised Response Mean (SRM) and Spearman rank order correlations of change on both the PEDI and GMFM, with change in motor functioning according to the parents as external criterion. RESULTS: The PEDI has ES and SRM values higher than 0.8. The GMFM has ES and SRM values higher than 0.5. For all dimensions of the PEDI and for almost all dimensions of the GMFM, the ESs and SRMs of the younger group are higher than those of the older group. The ES and the SRM of the GMFM increase with the complexity of the task. When looking at the correlations of the PEDI and GMFM change scores with the opinion of parents, the results are less unequivocal. CONCLUSIONS: Both the GMFM and the PEDI are responsive for change in motor ability over time in children with CP, the most in children younger than 4 years of age.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2002

Effects of functional electric stimulation on upper limb motor function and shoulder range of motion in hemiplegic patients.

OBJECTIVES: The present study examines functional electric stimulation (FES) applied on patients with hemiplegia of short and long duration for the purpose of upper limb motor recovery and increasing shoulder range of motion. DESIGN: Patients with hemiplegia with subluxation participating in the study were placed into a short-duration group or a long-duration group. Subjects in each group were then randomly assigned to either the control or the experimental subgroup. The experimental groups of both short- and long-duration groups received FES therapy in which the supraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles were induced to contract repetitively up to 6 hr a day for 6 wk. Duration of FES session and muscle contraction/relaxation ratio were progressively increased as performance improved. The experimental groups also received a second 6-wk FES therapy 6 wk after completing the first FES therapy. RESULTS: After the first 6-wk FES therapy, the experimental group of short-duration hemiplegia showed significant improvements in motor recovery as indicated by Fugl-Meyer scores compared with the control group. Such significant improvement did not occur for the experimental group of long-duration hemiplegia. The changes in the second FES treatment program were insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that patients with hemiplegia of short duration are effectively trained by FES for motor recovery.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Induction of heat shock proteins and motor function deficits after focal cerebellar injury.

A weight drop model of focal cerebellar injury was used to identify heat shock protein induction and motor function deficits in the anesthetized, adult male, Sprague-Dawley rat. All animals were trained on a beam walking test prior to surgery. Groups of animals received severe, mild or sham weight drop injury to the lateral/paravermal region of the cerebellum. The mild and sham-injured animals showed no motor deficits in the beam walking test, whereas animals with severe cerebellar injury showed significant motor deficits in the beam walking test that approached recovery of motor function 20 days after injury. Following severe injury, induction of heat shock protein of 27kDa was observed in Purkinje cells and in neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei, as well as Bergmann glial cells, glial cells located in the granule cell layer and the underlying white matter. Following mild injury, heat shock protein of 27kDa induction was observed in Purkinje cells and glial cells, but not in neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei. The labeled Purkinje cells were widely distributed in the ipsilateral cerebellar cortex. Many of the glial cells that were immunostained with heat shock protein of 27kDa co-localized with cells immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein. After severe injury, heat shock protein of 72kDa was localized mainly in granule cells at the site of the trauma and in the ipsilateral deep cerebellar nuclei whereas, after mild injury, light labeling was observed only in the granule cell layer. The results demonstrate that focal cerebellar injury has profound effects on motor behavior and induces different families of heat shock proteins in specific groups of neurons and glial cells in the cerebellum.

Anesthesia, General↗

PubMed1987

Rate of aging and dietary restriction: sensory and motor function in the Fischer 344 rat.

Sensory and motor task performance was assessed at 3 to 4 month intervals in chronically underfed and ad libitum-fed control rats from maturity into senescence. Diet-restricted rats weighed less than controls and lived significantly longer. Diminished body mass improved the underfed rats' abilities to hang suspended from a wire, to maintain balance on a narrow beam, and to descend from a wire mesh pole in a coordinated fashion. Underfed rats, however, lost these abilities at the same rate as did control rats. Undernutrition did not affect the startle response to acoustic stimulation, nor did it influence auditory or visual lead stimulus inhibition of the startle response. Both groups of animals showed progressive, age-related losses of sensory-motor function which proceeded at the same rate in each group. Life-prolonging undernutrition did not appear to retard aging of these simple, reflexive behaviors.

Aging↗

PubMed2005

The effects of exogenous nitric oxide donor on motor functional recovery of reperfused peripheral nerve.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of the nitric oxide donor S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteine (SNAC) on motor functional recovery of reperfused rat sciatic nerve. METHODS: Seventy-eight rats were divided into groups treated with SNAC (100 nmol/100 g/min), methylprednisolone 30 mg/kg/h for 15 minutes, 45-minute pause, 5.4 mg/kg/h for 1.5 h), and phosphate-buffered saline 0.2 mL/100 g/h). A 1-cm segment of sciatic nerve had 2 hours of ischemia and the results were evaluated after various reperfusion periods using a walking track test, muscle contractile testing, muscle weight, and histology. RESULTS: During reperfusion there was a significant overall improvement in sciatic functional index measurement and isometric titanic contractile force for the SNAC-treated group compared with the methylprednisolone- and phosphate-buffered saline- treated groups. The SNAC group had significantly earlier improvement in the sciatic functional index measurement between days 7 and 28. Restoration of the contractile force and muscle weight of the extensor digitorum longus muscle began earlier in the SNAC group--after day 11--whereas the other 2 groups showed progressive atrophy until day 21, with a significant difference between the SNAC group and the other 2 groups. Histologic examination showed that SNAC-treated rats had less severe degeneration and earlier regeneration of axons than the others. Although methylprednisolone-treated rats showed earlier recovery than phosphate-buffered saline-treated rats in all parameters there were no significant differences between these 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of nitric oxide is effective in promoting motor functional recovery of the reperfused peripheral nerve and has potential to replace or augment steroids as therapeutic agents in treatment of nervous system ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Acetylcysteine↗

PubMed2004

Effects of passive-active movement training on upper limb motor function and cortical activation in chronic patients with stroke: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore how repetitive passive-active movement training effects upper limb motor function and cortical activation in patients with stroke. DESIGN: Single-group treatment trial with baseline comparisons. PATIENTS: Ten chronic patients with stroke with paresis of the upper limb. METHODS: Assessments were performed during a 4-week baseline period before and once after 4 weeks of training using the Motor Assessment Scale of the upper limb, Nine Hole Peg Test, goniometer for range of movement and the modified Ashworth scale for muscle tone. Two patients underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging pre- and post-training. The treatment consisted of daily sessions of repeated functional reaching and grasping movements guided passively and attempted actively during 4 weeks. RESULTS: The group improved in range of motion and Motor Assessment Scale scores. Subjects reported improvements in a variety of daily tasks requiring the use of the affected upper limb. Increases in cortical activation in prefrontal and sensorimotor areas were observed in parallel with improvements of upper limb motor function in the 2 patients scanned. CONCLUSION: The 4-week training programme improved hand motor function and ability. Cortical activation on functional magnetic resonance imaging changed in parallel suggesting reorganization of areas related to movements of the paretic limb.

Cerebral Cortex↗

PubMed1999

Evaluation of gross and fine motor functions in children with hemidecortication: predictors of outcomes and timing of surgery.

The purpose of this study is three-fold: First, to determine the levels of gross and fine motor functions in children before and after hemidecortication, using standardized measurement tools; second, to investigate if predictors of these outcomes can be characterized; and third, to explore if both clinical measures and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) potentially can identify optimal timing of surgery. The Gross Motor Function Measure and the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test are shown to be comprehensive, standardized outcome measures of movement performance in affected children. Age at surgery and interval between age at seizure onset and age at surgery could be the most reliable predictors of clinical outcomes. Functional MRI studies are valuable in exploring the potential of the cortical reorganization that sustains residual sensorimotor function. The combination of clinical measures with functional MRI is a promising method of inquiry into developmental and plasticity processes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Corticomotor organisation and motor function in multiple sclerosis.

Our objective was to determine whether there are changes in the corticomotor map for the hand in multiple sclerosis, and whether these changes correlate with indices of motor function and measures of corticomotor conduction or excitability. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) maps, motor evoked potential (MEP) latency and amplitude, motor threshold and EDSS and Purdue-pegboard measurements were made in 26 subjects with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Correlations were sought between these measurements using the Pearson product-moment correlation with a level of significance of p = 0.05 (two-tailed). Map displacement was positively correlated with MEP latency (p = 3 x 10(-4)) and EDSS (p = 0.007), and negatively correlated with Purdue score (p = 4 x 10(-4)). Purdue scores correlated with all MEP parameters (latency, p = 4 x 10(-10); threshold, p = 4 x 10(-6); amplitude, p = 0.003). We conclude that motor reorganisation is associated with impaired corticomotor conduction and may reflect a process of neural plasticity associated with axonal demyelination in MS. An understanding of motor function in MS should incorporate models of both axonal demyelination and conduction deficits as well as neural plasticity.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Gross Motor Function Classification System and outcome tools for assessing ambulatory cerebral palsy: a multicenter study.

The relationships between different levels of severity of ambulatory cerebral palsy, defined by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), and several pediatric outcome instruments were examined. Data from the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), Pediatric Orthopaedic Data Collection Instrument (PODCI), temporal-spatial gait parameters, and oxygen cost were collected from six sites. The sample size for each assessment tool ranged from 226 to 1047 participants. There were significant differences among GMFCS levels I, II, and III for many of the outcome tools assessed in this study. Strong correlations were seen between GMFCS level and each of the GMFM sections D and E scores, the PODCI measures of Transfer and Mobility, and Sports and Physical Function, Gait Velocity, and Oxygen Cost. Correlations among tools demonstrated that the GMFM sections D and E scores correlated with the largest number of other tools. Logistic regression showed GMFM section E score to be a significant predictor of GMFCS level. GMFM section E score can be used to predict GMFCS level relatively accurately (76.6%). Study data indicate that the assessed outcome tools can distinguish between children with different GMFCS levels. This study establishes justification for using the GMFCS as a classification system in clinical studies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Spontaneous and induced aberrant sprouting at the site of injury is irrelevant to motor function outcome in rats with spinal cord injury.

In the absence of effective regeneration following spinal cord (SC) injury, sprouting from undamaged axons has been regarded as an underlying factor for functional improvement after incomplete SC injury. The influence of spontaneous and induced axonal sprouting at the injury site on motor function was tested using rats subjected to moderate SC contusion at T9 level, using megadoses of methylprednisolone (MP) and intralesion implantation of cells from sciatic nerve (PNI). Groups using MP and PNI combined, implant vehicle, and injury with no treatment were also included. Amount of sprouting at the injury sites was significantly different depending on treatment. It was abundant in PNI-treated rats, moderate in rats treated with vehicle or nontreated, and limited in rats given MP with or without PNI (chi2, p=0.0084). This sprouting showed an aberrant course and was located in proliferating tissue at the site of injury, characterized by the presence of ependymal cells, macrophages, and myelinating and nonmyelinating Schwann cells. Functional scores and amount of spared white matter were not significantly different among groups. Correlation of the amount of sprouting vs. functional outcome or vs. amount of spared tissue was not significant, while correlation of functional outcome vs. amount of spared tissue was significant (p<0.0001). In conclusion, PNI increase aberrant sprouting at the injury site, while MP limits such sprouting, in either case without impact on motor function outcome. Missing guiding channels for sprouting axons could explain the absence of any functional improvement.

Animals↗