Perinatal anoxia associated with sensorimotor restriction causes muscle atrophy and microglial activation: Meta-analysis of preclinical studies with implications for cerebral palsy.

Several experimental cerebral palsy models have been created to investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this condition and develop new therapeutic strategies. The model that has come closest to a motor phenotype similar to cerebral palsy is the one that combines perinatal anoxia with hindlimb sensorimotor restriction, as it induces visible changes at the peripheral and central levels. This systematic review with meta-analysis presents the impact of the cerebral palsy model that associates perinatal anoxia with hindlimb sensorimotor restriction on the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems.

Motor deficits are associated with increased glial cell activation in the hypothalamus and cerebellum of young rats subjected to cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a syndrome characterized by a wide range of sensory and motor damage, associated with behavioral and cognitive deficits. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of a model of CP using a combination of perinatal anoxia and sensorimotor restriction of hind paws to replicate motor, behavioral and neural deficits. A total of 30 of male Wistar rats were divided into Control (C, n = 15), and CP (CP, n = 15) groups.

An atlas for unveiling the functional organization of spinal circuits.

Defining the positional organization of neurons in the spinal cord is critical for understanding their function. In this issue, Fiederling and colleagues present a method to accurately map position and connectivity of neurons in a universal three-dimensional spinal cord reference atlas.

Afadin Signaling at the Spinal Neuroepithelium Regulates Central Canal Formation and Gait Selection.

Afadin, a scaffold protein controlling the activity of the nectin family of cell adhesion molecules, regulates important morphogenetic processes during development. In the central nervous system, afadin has critical roles in neuronal migration, axonal elongation, and synapse formation. Here we examine the role of afadin in development of spinal motor circuits.