The Regenerative Effect of Trans-spinal Magnetic Stimulation After Spinal Cord Injury: Mechanisms and Pathways Underlying the Effect

Neurotherapeutics, 2020 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-020-00915-5 · Published: August 27, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in permanent loss of motor and sensory functions, with no existing cure. This study explores repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rTSMS) as a noninvasive treatment to enhance tissue repair and functional recovery after SCI. The researchers used immunohistochemical techniques, behavioral tests, cell cultures, and proteomics to understand how rTSMS affects SCI in mice. They tested different lesion scenarios, including acute and chronic SCI phases in animals of different ages. The study's findings suggest that rTSMS can modulate the lesion scar by reducing fibrosis and inflammation, promoting the proliferation of spinal cord stem cells, decreasing demyelination, and ultimately leading to axonal regrowth, neuronal survival, and improved locomotor recovery.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

118 mice (100 WT C57BL/6 mice and 18 hFoxJ1-CreERT2 mice)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
rTSMS modulates the lesion scar by decreasing fibrosis and inflammation, suggesting it promotes a more permissive environment for regeneration.
2
rTSMS increases the proliferation of spinal cord stem cells, indicating a potential mechanism for endogenous repair and regeneration.
3
rTSMS decreases demyelination, contributing to axonal regrowth, neuronal survival, and locomotor recovery after SCI, showing its neuroprotective effects.

Research Summary

This study investigates the potential of repetitive trans-spinal magnetic stimulation (rTSMS) as a noninvasive treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice, focusing on tissue repair and functional recovery. The research demonstrates that rTSMS modulates the lesion scar by reducing fibrosis and inflammation, increasing the proliferation of spinal cord stem cells, and decreasing demyelination. The findings suggest that rTSMS promotes axonal regrowth, neuronal survival, and locomotor recovery, indicating its potential as a therapeutic intervention for SCI.

Practical Implications

Clinical Translation

rTSMS may offer a non-invasive therapeutic approach for SCI patients, potentially improving functional outcomes.

Targeted Therapy

Modulating scar formation and promoting stem cell proliferation can be key targets for SCI treatment strategies.

Rehabilitation Strategies

rTSMS could be integrated into rehabilitation programs to enhance recovery and improve the quality of life for SCI patients.

Study Limitations

1
Rodent-specific TMS stimulator coils are lacking, inducing a lack of focality.
2
Complete transection model is less relevant from a clinical point of view.
3
The area stimulated was 1.5 cm2, meaning that 3–4 vertebral segments have been stimulated.

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