Targeted environmental enrichment is more effective than bipedal treadmill training after thoracic spinal cord injury.

ABSTRACT: Rehabilitation is widely recognized as an essential component in evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention in animal models of translational spinal cord injury research. Ideally, the rehabilitation method used should be optimized for the specific injury model and severity to adequately compare the efficacy of the investigational therapy. For studies utilizing thoracic spinal cord injuries, rehabilitation primarily involves bipedal or quadrupedal treadmill training aimed at restoring hindlimb function. Previously, we reported modest improvements to hindlimb motor recovery following forced bipedal treadmill training after moderate 175 kilodyne thoracic spinal cord contusion injury, which were further enhanced when combined with the microtubule-stabilizing drug epothilone B.

SUBMITTER: Griffin JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12529096 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature