Characterization of a Graded Cervical Hemicontusion Spinal Cord Injury Model in Adult Male Rats

This study focuses on developing and assessing a spinal cord injury (SCI) model in rats that mimics common injuries in humans, specifically those at the lower cervical levels. These injuries affect both gray and white matter, impacting motor recovery. The model uses a device to create graded injuries, and the study measures the impact on forelimb function and overall movement. Rats were subjected to varying degrees of spinal cord injury at the C5 level, and their motor skills were evaluated using tasks like reaching, grasping, and walking on a ladder. The researchers also analyzed tissue samples to correlate the severity of the injury with the degree of functional impairment. The results showed a clear relationship between the severity of the spinal cord injury and the decline in motor skills, as well as tissue damage in the spinal cord. The study demonstrates that this model can effectively assess potential therapies for spinal cord injuries by measuring how treatments improve motor function and protect spinal cord tissue.

• 1
  Graded cervical hemicontusion SCI induced quantifiable deficits in skilled and unskilled forepaw use and locomotion.
• 2
  The amount of white- and gray-matter damage in the ipsilateral spinal cord was dependent on injury severity.
• 3
  Gray- and white-matter damage is strongly correlated with the degree of deficits seen in the paw preference test and the vermicelli handling test.