Transplantation of embryonic spinal motor neurons into peripheral nerves enables functional reconstruction of a denervated diaphragm.

Respiratory muscle paralysis due to trauma or neurodegenerative diseases can have devastating consequences. Only a few studies have investigated the reconstruction of motor function in denervated diaphragms caused by such conditions. Here, we studied the efficacy of transplanting E14 embryonic spinal motor neurons (SMNs) into peripheral nerve grafts for functionally reconstructing a denervated diaphragm in a rat model.

A Wirelessly Powered 4-Channel Neurostimulator for Reconstructing Walking Trajectory.

A wirelessly powered four-channel neurostimulator was developed for applying selective Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to four peripheral nerves to control the ankle and knee joints of a rat. The power of the neurostimulator was wirelessly supplied from a transmitter device, and the four nerves were connected to the receiver device, which controlled the ankle and knee joints in the rat. The receiver device had functions to detect the frequency of the transmitter signal from the transmitter coil.

Functional Reconstruction of Denervated Muscle by Xenotransplantation of Neural Cells from Porcine to Rat.

Neural cell transplantation targeting peripheral nerves is a potential treatment regime for denervated muscle atrophy. This study aimed to develop a new therapeutic technique for intractable muscle atrophy by the xenotransplantation of neural stem cells derived from pig fetuses into peripheral nerves. In this study, we created a denervation model using neurotomy in nude rats and transplanted pig-fetus-derived neural stem cells into the cut nerve stump.

A Therapeutic Strategy for Lower Motor Neuron Disease and Injury Integrating Neural Stem Cell Transplantation and Functional Electrical Stimulation in a Rat Model.

Promising treatments for upper motor neuron disease are emerging in which motor function is restored by brain-computer interfaces and functional electrical stimulation. At present, such technologies and procedures are not applicable to lower motor neuron disease. We propose a novel therapeutic strategy for lower motor neuron disease and injury integrating neural stem cell transplantation with our new functional electrical stimulation control system.

Optimal conditions for graft survival and reinnervation of denervated muscles after embryonic motoneuron transplantation into peripheral nerves undergoing Wallerian degeneration.

Motoneuron transplantation into peripheral nerves undergoing Wallerian degeneration may have applications in treating diseases causing muscle paralysis. We investigated whether functional reinnervation of denervated muscle could be achieved by early or delayed transplantation after denervation. Adult rats were assigned to six groups with increasing denervation periods (0, 1, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks) before inoculation with culture medium containing (transplantation group) or lacking (surgical control group) dissociated embryonic motoneurons into the peroneal nerve.

Visual Feedback Control of a Rat Ankle Angle Using a Wirelessly Powered Two-Channel Neurostimulator.

Peripheral nerve disconnections cause severe muscle atrophy and consequently, paralysis of limbs. Reinnervation of denervated muscle by transplanting motor neurons and applying Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) onto peripheral nerves is an important procedure for preventing irreversible degeneration of muscle tissues. After the reinnervation of denervated muscles, multiple peripheral nerves should be stimulated independently to control joint motion and reconstruct functional movements of limbs by the FES.