Interlimb reflexes and synaptic plasticity become evident months after human spinal cord injury

Interlimb Reflexes Induced by Electrical Stimulation of Cutaneous Nerves after Spinal Cord Injury

Whether interlimb reflexes emerge only after a severe insult to the human spinal cord is controversial. Here the aim was to examine interlimb reflexes at rest in participants with chronic (>1 year) spinal cord injury (SCI, n = 17) and able-bodied control participants (n = 5). Cutaneous reflexes were evoked by delivering up to 30 trains of stimuli to either the superficial peroneal nerve on the ...

Training-Specific Neural Plasticity in Spinal Reflexes after Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

The neural plasticity of spinal reflexes after two contrasting forms of walking training was determined in individuals with chronic, motor-incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Endurance Training involved treadmill walking for as long as possible, and Precision Training involved walking precisely over obstacles and onto targets overground. Twenty participants started either Endurance or Precisio...

Locomotion and Motor Neuron Plasticity after Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Keratan sulfate restricts neural plasticity after spinal cord injury.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycans are strong inhibitors of structural rearrangement after injuries of the adult CNS. In addition to CS chains, keratan sulfate (KS) chains are also covalently attached to some proteoglycans. CS and KS sometimes share the same core protein, but exist as independent sugar chains. However, the biological significance of KS remains elusive. Here, we addressed th...

Electrical Stimulation In Spinal Cord Injury Problems To Be Addressed In The First Weeks And Months After Spinal Cord Injury

During this time period, electrical stimulation [ES] may be suggested by the medical care team. Each individual patient must be evaluated to determine if there are any contraindications or precautions in the use of ES. SCI candidates for ES must have peripheral nerve supply, or an intact reflex arc, to the muscles to be stimulated. If the patient is a candidate, ES may be incorporated into dail...