The combination of human neuronal serotonergic cell implants and environmental enrichment after contusive SCI improves motor recovery over each individual strategy

Behav Brain Res. 2008 Dec 12;194(2):236-41. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2008.07.001. Epub 2008 Jul 11.

Abstract

A human neuronal cell line, hNT2.19, which secretes serotonin (5-HT) after differentiation, was used as a transplant source to improve motor dysfunction following severe contusive spinal cord injury (SCI). Also, environmental enrichment (EE) was added to the interspinal transplant treatment paradigm. Motor testing was performed weekly before and following SCI, with and without EE and/or cell transplant conditions. Motor recovery was maximal when both cell transplant and EE were used. Individual treatment paradigms also significantly improved foot rotation and reduced footfall errors but not stride length or base of support dysfunction. This recovery of motor function after SCI suggests that the combinatory use of serotonergic hNT2.19 cell grafts plus EE is a meaningful strategy to modestly improve motor dysfunction that accompanies contusive SCI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Transformed / transplantation
  • Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Environment*
  • Exploratory Behavior / physiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Neurons / transplantation*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / therapy*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Serotonin