Author/Authors :
Hasegawa, Atsushi Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan , Takahashi, Masahito Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan , Satomi, Kazuhiko Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Kugayama Hospital, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan , Ohne, Hideaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan , Takeuchi, Takumi Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan , Sato, Shunsuke Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan , Ichimura, Shoichi Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan
Abstract :
The aim of this study was to investigate forelimb motor function after cervical spinal cord injury in juvenile and adult rats. Both rats received a left segmental hemisection of the spinal cord after C3-C4 laminectomy. Behavioral evaluation of motor function was monitored and assessed using the New Rating Scale (NRS) and Forelimb Locomotor Scale (FLS) and by measuring the range of motion (ROM) of both the elbow and wrist. Complete left forelimb motor paralysis was observed in both rats. The NRS showed motor function recovery restored to 50.2 ± 24.7% in juvenile rats and 34.0 ± 19.8% in adult rats. FLS was 60.4 ± 26.8% in juvenile rats and 46.5 ± 26.9% in adult rats. ROM of the elbow and wrist were 88.9 ± 20.6% and 44.4 ± 24.1% in juvenile rats and 70.0 ± 29.2% and 40.0 ± 21.1% in adult rats. Thus, the NRS and ROM of the elbow showed a significant difference between age groups. These results indicate that left hemisection of the cervical spinal cord was not related to right-sided motor functions. Moreover, while motor paralysis of the left forelimb gradually recovered in both groups, the improvement was greater in juvenile rats.
Keywords :
Forelimb Motor Function , Cervical Spinal Cord Hemisection , Rats , Juveniles and Adults
