Affiliations: Department of Neurology, University of Texas, Medical
School, Houston, TX 77030, USA | University of Texas at Austin, Institute for
Neuroscience, Austin, TX 78712, USA
Note: [] Correspondind author: James C. Grotta, MD, Professor of
Neurology, Director of Vascular Neurology Program, University of Texas-Houston
Medical School, 6431 Fannin St., Houston, Texas 77030, USA. MSB, 7.044. Tel.:
+1 713 500 7092; Fax: +1 713 500 0660; E-mail: James.C.Grotta@uth.tmc.edu
Abstract: Background: We aimed to determine whether early or delayed
wheel-running (W) after a cortical lesion in rats influences functional
recovery and protein expression involving synaptic plasticity. Methods: 57 rats were arranged in 4 groups: (1) Sham, (2) NMDA, (3)
W-24 h or (4) W-72 h (W-24 h and W-72 h means wheel-running for 14 days
starting day 1 or day 3 after NMDA lesion). NMDA produced a standardized lesion
in the unilateral sensorimotor cortex and detectable behavioral deficits.
Synaptogenesis was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: Wheel-running starting after 24 h had no detectable effect,
but it significantly speeded functional recovery when delayed to after 72 h.
These results were in accordance with a marker linked to synaptogenesis. Conclusion: Wheel-running starting 3 days, but not 1 day, after an
NMDA lesion is associated with improved functional recovery.
