Amphetamine-Enhanced Motor Training after Cervical Contusion Injury

JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA, 2012 · DOI: 10.1089/neu.2011.1767 · Published: March 20, 2012

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates whether combining motor training with amphetamine (AMPH) and an enriched environment (EE) can improve forelimb function after a cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Rats with unilateral C3–C4 contusion injuries were given AMPH and skilled forelimb training. The results showed that while this combination improved qualitative reaching, enriched environmental housing diminished the extent of forelimb recovery. The researchers suggest that AMPH may enhance attention during motor training, and that the enriched environment might interfere with the specific skills needed for reaching.

Study Duration

17 weeks

Participants

101 adult Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
AMPH combined with skilled forelimb motor training improved qualitative reaching in rats with cervical SCI compared to controls and drug-only groups.
2
Enriched environmental housing diminished the extent of forelimb recovery when combined with AMPH and skilled motor training.
3
Kinematic analysis did not reveal improvements in the quality of reach, and there was no evidence of neuroprotection in the cervical spinal cord.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the effects of D-AMPH administration, skilled forelimb training, and EE housing in rats with unilateral cervical contusion injuries to see if this combination of treatments would improve forelimb function. The study found that AMPH combined with skilled forelimb motor training improved qualitative reaching compared to control groups. However, EE housing, when combined with AMPH and training, diminished the extent of forelimb recovery. The researchers suggest that AMPH may enhance focus during motor training or activate motor mechanisms associated with forming new motor pathways. The interference of EE housing with skilled reaching may be due to limited plasticity in the spinal cord.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

Combining AMPH with skilled motor training may be a useful strategy to improve qualitative reaching after cervical SCI.

Environmental Considerations

EE housing may not always be beneficial and can potentially interfere with the effectiveness of task-specific motor training in SCI rehabilitation.

Mechanism of Action

AMPH may work by enhancing attention during motor training or activating motor mechanisms, rather than through neuroprotection.

Study Limitations

1
The study focused on a specific type of cervical contusion injury in rats, limiting generalizability to other SCI models or human SCI.
2
Kinematic analysis did not reveal improvements in reach quality, suggesting limitations in the measurement techniques or compensatory mechanisms.
3
The exact mechanisms by which AMPH enhances motor training and EE housing interferes with recovery are not fully understood and require further investigation.

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