Journal article
An ovine model of spinal cord injury
The journal of spinal cord medicine, Vol.40(3), pp.346-360
05/04/2017
DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2016.1222475
PMCID: PMC5472023
PMID: 27759502
Abstract
Objective: To develop a large animal model of spinal cord injury (SCI), for use in translational studies of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in the treatment of spasticity. We seek to establish thresholds for the SCS parameters associated with reduction of post-SCI spasticity in the pelvic limbs, with implications for patients.
Study Design: The weight-drop method was used to create a moderate SCI in adult sheep, leading to mild spasticity in the pelvic limbs. Electrodes for electromyography (EMG) and an epidural spinal cord stimulator were then implanted. Behavioral and electrophysiological data were taken during treadmill ambulation in six animals, and in one animal with and without SCS at 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.9 V.
Setting: All surgical procedures were carried out at the University of Iowa. The gait measurements were made at Iowa State University.
Material and Methods: Nine adult female sheep were used in these institutionally approved protocols. Six of them were trained in treadmill ambulation prior to SCI surgeries, and underwent gait analysis pre- and post-SCI. Stretch reflex and H-reflex measurements were also made in conscious animals.
Results: Gait analysis revealed repeatable quantitative differences in 20% of the key kinematic parameters of the sheep, pre- and post-SCI. Hock joint angular velocity increased toward the normal pre-injury baseline in the animal with SCS at 0.9 V.
Conclusion: The ovine model is workable as a large animal surrogate suitable for translational studies of novel SCS therapies aimed at relieving spasticity in patients with SCI.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- An ovine model of spinal cord injury
- Creators
- Saul Wilson - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsKingsley O Abode-Iyamah - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsJohn W Miller - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsChandan G Reddy - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsSina Safayi - Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State UniversityDouglas C Fredericks - Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsNicholas D Jeffery - Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State UniversityNicole A DeVries-Watson - Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsSara K Shivapour - Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State UniversityStephanus Viljoen - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsBrian D Dalm - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and ClinicsKatherine N Gibson-Corley - Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, Carver College of Medicine, University of IowaMichael D Johnson - Department of Physiology, Northwestern UniversityGeorge T Gillies - Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of VirginiaMatthew A Howard - Department of Neurosurgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The journal of spinal cord medicine, Vol.40(3), pp.346-360
- DOI
- 10.1080/10790268.2016.1222475
- PMID
- 27759502
- PMCID
- PMC5472023
- NLM abbreviation
- J Spinal Cord Med
- ISSN
- 1079-0268
- eISSN
- 2045-7723
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/04/2017
- Academic Unit
- Neurology; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Iowa Technology Institute; Pathology; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center; Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9984013109402771
Metrics
27 Record Views