In peripheral nerve regeneration environment enriched with activity stimulating factors improves functional recovery

Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2007:100:161-7. doi: 10.1007/978-3-211-72958-8_34.

Abstract

Enriched environment stimulates brain plasticity processes after brain lesion. Less is known about the influence of enriched environment with activity stimulating factors as determinants of functional outcome after peripheral nerve repair. BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) plays a role in activity-dependent neuronal plasticity and changes in motor cortex in rats learning complex motor skills. Our study aimed to elucidate if enriched environment influences functional results after peripheral nerve repair. The results in this rat sciatic nerve transection and repair model showed that environment enriched with activity stimulating factors can improve functional results.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism
  • Electromyography
  • Environment*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Hindlimb / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Motor Activity
  • Motor Cortex / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Nerve Regeneration*
  • Neural Conduction
  • Proprioception
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reaction Time
  • Recovery of Function*
  • Sciatic Nerve / injuries*
  • Sciatic Nerve / physiopathology*
  • Somatosensory Cortex / metabolism
  • Toes / physiopathology
  • Trauma, Nervous System / metabolism
  • Trauma, Nervous System / physiopathology

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor