Diaphragm Activation via High Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation in a Rodent Model of Spinal Cord Injury

This study explores a new method, high frequency spinal cord stimulation (HF-SCS), to activate the diaphragm muscles for breathing in rats with spinal cord injury. HF-SCS involves applying electrical stimulation to the spinal cord to trigger the nerves that control the diaphragm, the main muscle for breathing. The researchers found that HF-SCS effectively activated the diaphragm in rats, similar to what they previously observed in dogs, suggesting it could be a useful tool for respiratory muscle stimulation.

• 1
  HF-SCS results in activation of the diaphragm at physiological firing frequencies in rats following spinal cord injury.
• 2
  HF-SCS results in the generation of large inspired volume in the rat model, similar to that observed during spontaneous breathing.
• 3
  Continuous HF-SCS pacing can be maintained without evidence of system fatigue over a 60-minute period.