Electrical intraspinal microstimulation (ISMS) at various sites along the cervical spinal cord permits forelimb muscle activation, elicits complex limb movements and may enhance functional recovery after spinal cord injury. Here, we explore optogenetic spinal stimulation (OSS) as a less invasive and cell type-specific alternative to ISMS. To map forelimb muscle activation by OSS in rats, adeno-associated viruses (AAV) carrying the blue-light sensitive ion channels channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and Chronos were injected into the cervical spinal cord at different depths and volumes. Following an AAV incubation period of several weeks, OSS-induced forelimb muscle activation and movements were assessed at 16 sites along the dorsal surface of the cervical spinal cord. Three distinct movement types were observed. We find that AAV injection volume and depth can be titrated to achieve OSS-based activation of several movements. Optical stimulation of the spinal cord is thus a promising method for dissecting the function of spinal circuitry and targeting therapies following injury. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Optogenetics in the spinal cord can be used both for therapeutic treatments and to uncover basic mechanisms of spinal cord physiology. For the first time, we describe the methodology and outcomes of optogenetic surface stimulation of the rat spinal cord. Specifically, we describe the evoked responses of forelimbs and address the effects of different adeno-associated virus injection paradigms. Additionally, we are the first to report on the limitations of light penetration through the rat spinal cord.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/jn.00461.2017 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Department of Inflammation and Ageing, School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant cause of lifelong disability, with no available disease-modifying treatments to promote neuroprotection and axon regeneration after injury. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a promising therapy which has proven effective at restoring lost function after SCI in pre-clinical models. However, the precise mechanism of action is yet to be determined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Prev Alzheimers Dis
February 2025
Department of Neurology and National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, PR China. Electronic address:
Background: Cognitive decline and the progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) are traditionally associated with amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau pathologies. This study aims to evaluate the relationships between microstructural white matter injury, cognitive decline and AD core biomarkers.
Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study of 566 participants using peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) to quantify microstructural white matter injury.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis
February 2025
School of Nursing, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China. Electronic address:
Background: The associations of early-onset coronary heart disease (CHD) and genetic susceptibility with incident dementia and brain white matter hyperintensity (WMH) remain unclear. Elucidation of this problem could promote understanding of the neurocognitive impact of early-onset CHD and provide suggestions for the prevention of dementia.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether observed and genetically predicted early-onset CHD were related to subsequent dementia and WMH volume.
J Prev Alzheimers Dis
February 2025
Dementia Research Centre (Singapore), Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine - Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Electronic address:
Background: Cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) like hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus are increasingly linked to cognitive decline and dementia, especially in cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are closely associated with cognitive impairment, but the mechanisms behind their development remain unclear. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction may be a key factor, particularly in cSVD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Vasc Surg
January 2025
Division of Vascular Surgery, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA.
Objectives: The population in the U.S., and across the world is aging rapidly which warrants an assessment of the safety of surgical approaches in elderly individuals to better risk stratify and inform surgeons' decision making for optimal patient care.
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