Early phrenic motor neuron loss and transient respiratory abnormalities after unilateral cervical spinal cord contusion.

ABSTRACT: Contusion-type cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most common forms of SCI observed in patients. In particular, injuries targeting the C3-C5 region affect the pool of phrenic motor neurons (PhMNs) that innervates the diaphragm, resulting in significant and often chronic respiratory dysfunction. Using a previously described rat model of unilateral midcervical C4 contusion with the Infinite Horizon Impactor, we have characterized the early time course of PhMN degeneration and consequent respiratory deficits following injury, as this knowledge is important for designing relevant treatment strategies targeting protection and plasticity of PhMN circuitry. PhMN loss (48% of the ipsilateral pool) occurred almost entirely during the first 24 h post-injury, resulting in persistent phre

SUBMITTER: Nicaise C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3689927 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature