Restorative neurology and neuroscience
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Functional recovery after experimental spinal cord compression and whole body vibration therapy requires a balanced revascularization of the injured site.
Based on several positive effects of whole-body-vibration (WBV) therapy on recovery after SCI, we looked for correlations between functional (analysis of locomotion), electrophysiological (H-reflex) and morphological (density of functioning capillaries) measurements after SCI and WBV-treatment. ⋯ The results of this study provide for the first time evidence that intensive WBV-therapy leads to a significantly denser capillary network in the lesioned spinal cord. However, since this higher capillary density is not associated with improved functional recovery (possibly because it exceeded the balance necessary for functional improvements), optional treatments with lower intensity or less time of WBV-therapy should be tested.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2015
Inhibition of glial proliferation, promotion of axonal growth and myelin production by synthetic glycolipid: A new approach for spinal cord injury treatment.
After spinal cord injury (SCI) a glial scar is generated in the area affected that forms a barrier for axon growth and myelination, preventing functional recovery. Recently, we have described a synthetic glycolipid (IG20) that inhibited proliferation of human glioma cells. We show now that IG20 inhibited the proliferation of astrocytes and microglial cells, the principal cellular components of the glial scar, and promoting axonal outgrowth and myelin production in vitro. ⋯ We propose that inhibition of astrocytes and microglia by IG20 could be diminished the glial scar formation, inducing the re-growth and myelination of axons, these elements constitute a new approach for SCI therapy.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2014
Altered expression of myelin-associated inhibitors and their receptors after traumatic brain injury in the mouse.
When central nervous system axons are injured, regeneration is partly inhibited by myelin-associated inhibitors (MAIs). Following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the rat, pharmacological neutralisation of the MAIs Nogo-A and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) resulted in improved functional outcome. In contrast, genetic or pharmacological neutralization of the MAI receptors Nogo-66 receptor 1 (NgR1) or paired-immunoglobulin like receptor-B (PirB) showed an unaltered or impaired outcome following TBI in mice. The aim of the present study was thus to evaluate the MAI expression levels following TBI in mice. ⋯ These results suggest that early dynamic changes in MAI gene expression occur following TBI in the mouse, particularly in the hippocampus, which may play an inhibitory role for post-injury regeneration and plasticity.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on freezing of gait in patients with Parkinsonism.
The aim of this study was to investigate the site-specific effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on freezing of gait (FOG) in patients with parkinsonism. ⋯ Use of 10 Hz rTMS on the M1-LL and DLPFC is therapeutically effective for FOG in patients with parkinsonism.
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Restor. Neurol. Neurosci. · Jan 2014
Combining enriched environment and induced pluripotent stem cell therapy results in improved cognitive and motor function following traumatic brain injury.
Despite advances towards potential clinically viable therapies there has been only limited success in improving functional recovery following traumatic brain injury (TBI). In rats, exposure to an enriched environment (EE) improves learning and fosters motor skill development. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) have been shown to survive transplantation and influence the recovery process. The current study evaluated EE and iPSC as a polytherapy for remediating cognitive deficits following medial frontal cortex (mFC) controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury. ⋯ Overall, EE or iPSC therapy improved cognition and motor performance, however, full cognitive restoration was seen only with the EE/iPSC treatment. These data suggest that EE/iPSC therapy should be explored as a potential, clinically relevant, treatment for TBI.