Chronic spinal cord transection does not affect peripheral nerve regeneration

Article type: Short Communication

Authors: Gulati, Adarsh K. | Swift, Thomas R.^; | McBride, Russell L. | Feringa, Earl R.^;

Affiliations: Department of Anatomy Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912 (U.S.A.) | Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912 (U.S.A.) | V.A. Medical Center, Augusta, GA 30912 (U.S.A.)

Note: [] Correspondence: A.K. Gulati, Department of Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-2000, U.S.A.

Abstract: Spinal cord transection is known to cause progressive changes in motor neurons and hind limb muscles. In the present study, regeneration of the peroneal nerve was examined in rats 25 weeks after a T9 spinal cord transection. Successful regeneration and innervation of the target muscle was observed after crush injury to the nerve in the spinal cord transected animals. It is concluded that the ability of peripheral nerve to regenerate remains preserved after spinal cord injury.

Keywords: Spinal cord, Transection, Motor neuron, Peripheral nerve, Regeneration, Rat

DOI: 10.3233/RNN-1990-1507

Journal: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 1, no. 5, pp. 361-364, 1990