Day/night difference in extradural cortical stimulation for motor relearning in a subacute stroke rat model

Restor Neurol Neurosci. 2016 Feb 24;34(3):379-87. doi: 10.3233/RNN-150593.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the proper timing of extradural cortical stimulation (ECS) on the motor relearning in a rat model of subacute photothrombotic stroke.

Methods: Photothrombotic infarction was induced on the dominant sensorimotor cortex in male Sprague-Dawley rats after training in a single-pellet reaching task (SPRT). Rats were randomly divided into three groups after stroke: ECS during the inactive period (Day-ECS group), ECS during the active period (Night-ECS group) and no ECS (Non-stimulated group). Six sham-operated rats were assigned to the control group. The Day- and Night-ECS group received continuous ECS for 12 hours during the day or night for 2 weeks from day 4 after the stroke. Behavioral assessment with SPRT was performed daily.

Results: SPRT showed a significantly faster and greater improvement in the Day and Night-ECS groups than in the Non-stimulated group. In the Day- and Night-ECS groups, the success rate of SPRT differed significantly from Non-stimulated group on day 11 and day 8, respectively. In addition, the Night-ECS group showed a significantly higher SPRT success rate than the Day-ECS group from days 10 to 13.

Conclusion: ECS during the active period might be more effective for motor relearning in the subacute stroke rat model.

Keywords: Day/night; electrical stimulation; extradural cortical stimulation; motor learning; motor recovery; stroke.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Electric Stimulation*
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
  • Male
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / metabolism
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Stroke / therapy*
  • Tubulin / metabolism

Substances

  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Tubulin
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase