Multimodal exercises simultaneously stimulating cortical and brainstem pathways after unilateral corticospinal lesion.

ABSTRACT: In the context of injury to the corticospinal tract (CST), brainstem-origin circuits may provide an alternative system of descending motor influence. However, subcortical circuits are largely under subconscious control. To improve volitional control over spared fibers after CST injury, we hypothesized that a combination of physical exercises simultaneously stimulating cortical and brainstem pathways above the injury would strengthen corticobulbar connections through Hebbian-like mechanisms. We sought to test this hypothesis in mice with unilateral CST lesions. Ten days after pyramidotomy, mice were randomized to four training groups: (1) postural exercises designed to stimulate brainstem pathways (BS); (2) distal limb-grip exercises preferentially stimulating CST pathways (CST); (3) simult

SUBMITTER: Harel NY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3873870 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature