Development of a multi-electrode array for spinal cord epidural stimulation to facilitate stepping and standing after a complete spinal cord injury in adult rats

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 2013 · DOI: 10.1186/1743-0003-10-2 · Published: January 21, 2013

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Biomedical

Simple Explanation

This study developed a high-density multi-electrode array for spinal cord stimulation in rats with complete spinal cord injuries. The goal was to improve their ability to stand and step. The array allowed for precise stimulation of specific sites on the spinal cord. Different stimulation parameters were tested to identify those that produced the best motor responses. The researchers found that specific combinations of electrode locations and stimulation frequencies could enable paralyzed rats to stand and step.

Study Duration

5 weeks

Participants

5 adult female Sprague Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Rats with complete spinal cord transections were able to stand and step when specific sets of electrodes on the array were stimulated tonically at 40 Hz.
2
Distinct patterns of stepping and standing were produced by stimulating different combinations of electrodes at specific spinal cord levels.
3
The location of the cathode and anode on the spinal cord significantly influenced the ability to facilitate stepping after injury.

Research Summary

This study introduces a novel multi-electrode array for epidural spinal cord stimulation in rats with complete spinal cord injuries to improve standing and stepping. The high-density array allows for selective activation of spinal neurons, and the results demonstrate that specific electrode locations and stimulation parameters can facilitate weight-bearing standing and stepping. The study also assessed functional connectivity between the cord dorsum and interneuronal circuits using evoked potentials, highlighting the potential of this technology for motor function restoration after SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Device Development

The findings underscore the importance of electrode location, anode-cathode orientation, and stimulation properties in the development of future therapeutic devices for SCI.

Optimized Stimulation Patterns

The research suggests that modulating and 'tuning' epidural stimulation patterns can provide optimal stimulation for motor function restoration in both animals and humans with SCI.

Clinical Translation

The study paves the way for further revisions and additions to the system, including wireless data transmission and sophisticated data analysis, to facilitate the translation of these results to clinical applications.

Study Limitations

1
The standing and stepping data are from one animal chronically implanted for 5 weeks.
2
The complex nature of the fabrication, implantation, and experimentation processes.
3
FDA-approved stimulators for human studies are too limited in the types of stimulation that they can generate and have no capability to record evoked potentials.

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