Method for shortening the rat spine and spinal cord

This study introduces a new rat model for spinal cord injury (SCI) research, focusing on creating a complete spinal cord transection by shortening the spine. This ensures there's no doubt about the completeness of the axonal transection, addressing a common issue in previous models. The researchers removed a segment of the spinal cord and a vertebra, then brought the stumps of the spinal cord together. They observed the rats for 12 weeks, assessing their motor function and examining the spinal cord tissue. The study found that axonal regeneration was inhibited by scar tissue and cavitation at the connection site. They also experimented with a collagen filament scaffold to bridge the gap in the spinal cord, which showed some promise in reducing scar tissue formation.

• 1
  Uncoordinated movements of the hind limbs were observed at 4 weeks after surgery, but coordinated movements were not observed by the end of the 12-week experiment.
• 2
  Light microscopy revealed that scar tissue intervened at the connection site, and cavitation inhibited axonal regeneration.
• 3
  The collagen filament scaffold model showed less scar tissue and cavitation compared to the model without the scaffold.