Acute Stimulation of Transplanted Neurons Improves Motoneuron Survival, Axon Growth, and Muscle Reinnervation

JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA, 2013 · DOI: 10.1089/neu.2012.2797 · Published: June 15, 2013

Simple Explanation

This study explores a potential treatment for motoneuron death, a common issue in spinal cord injuries and diseases like ALS. The approach involves transplanting embryonic motoneurons into a damaged peripheral nerve to help restore function to denervated muscles. The main goal was to see if stimulating these transplanted neurons with electricity could improve their survival rate, encourage axon growth (the part of the neuron that connects to muscles), and ultimately lead to better muscle reinnervation. The results showed that acute electrical stimulation does indeed help transplanted motoneurons survive longer. This leads to improved muscle reinnervation and reduced muscle atrophy, suggesting a promising avenue for treating muscle denervation.

Study Duration

10 weeks

Participants

Adult Fischer rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Acute stimulation of the transplant increased the median number of NeuN-positive neurons after 10 weeks.
2
Signiﬁcantly more motoneurons survived with stimulation.
3
Acute electrical stimulation of the cell transplant increased the total myelinated axon count signiﬁcantly.

Research Summary

The present results establish that electrical stimulation of embryonic neurons for 1 h immediately after transplantation increases neuron, motoneuron, and myelinated axon counts, resulting in long-term improvements in muscle reinnervation and function. Electrical stimulation is a practical option for neuroprotection, particularly given that young embryonic neurons adapted readily in peripheral nerve after just one only 1 h of treatment. In addition to neural effects, acute electrical stimulation of the transplant promoted functional reinnervation of both LG and MG muscles at 10 weeks

Practical Implications

Neuroprotection

Electrical stimulation provides a practical option for neuroprotection.

Clinical Use

Neuron transplantation strategy is of potential clinical use for spinal cord injury and motoneuron diseases.

Rehabilitation

Reinnervation allows low-intensity patterned electrical stimulation to selectively activate different muscles.

Study Limitations

1
Incomplete differentiation of motoneurons in nerves
2
Lack of muscle activity likely produced the immature neuromuscular junctions that we commonly observed.
3
Some muscle ﬁbers remained denervated.

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